What do I do if it sinks? (administratively)

[jumpjets]

Theoretically, what are my administrative responsibilities if my boat sinks?

Let's say that the boat sinks in the 10ft deep river that I normally boat on. We'll assume that it sank due to an outdrive failure, and not due to drunken negligence or anything like that. My wife and I safely swim to shore, and end up on public property. I'm assuming I have a lot of admin work and phone calls to make.

-Do I need to immediately notify the law? Who? USCG, local police, NC wildlife commission? (NC wildlife patrols the river and issues tickets, so I assume it's their jurisdiction.)

-I'm sure I would contact my insurance company soon after the incident.

-Am I responsible to marking the site where it sank to ensure that no other boats with deep draft hit my sunken boat and sustain damage?

-Can I expect hefty fines or criminal action? Will the EPA crush me for fuel and oil contamination in the river?

-Will my insurance company (BoatUS) drag their feet on my claim, or will they be helpful?

-Am I responsible for coordinating a salvage effort to get it out of the river? That seems like it would be super expensive.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: What do I do if it sinks? (administratively)

Do I need to immediately notify the law? Who? USCG, local police, NC wildlife commission? (NC wildlife patrols the river and issues tickets, so I assume it's their jurisdiction.)
That would be a Positive move, if they have to hunt you down, not a good thing.

-I'm sure I would contact my insurance company soon after the incident.
Also a good Move!

-Am I responsible to marking the site where it sank to ensure that no other boats with deep draft hit my sunken boat and sustain
damage?
It wouldn't hurt to get a Buoy on it. It may not be where you left it tomorrow. Especially in a river!

-Can I expect hefty fines or criminal action? Will the EPA crush me for fuel and oil contamination in the river?
You are required to report any spills larger than one drop! Oil/Fuel spill cleanup is your responsibility.
They will clean it for you and send you a bill for up to ~$850,000. Be sure your insurance include spill recovery!

-Will my insurance company (BoatUS) drag their feet on my claim, or will they be helpful?
Experience will tell!

-Am I responsible for coordinating a salvage effort to get it out of the river? That seems like it would be super expensive.
If you don't do it, someone else will, but expect to get the bill in either case.
Salvage costs are way higher than simple tow costs.
If someone raises your hull before you do. They can claim Salvage rights and own the boat!
If you pay a salvage company to refloat it, Be sure it is in the contract who will own it after the job is done.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What do I do if it sinks? (administratively)

I would say:

Contact authorities.
Mark location if you can.
Contact insurance carrier, let them deal with the salvage and paperwork. Thats what you pay them for.

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: What do I do if it sinks? (administratively)

typicaly, just a few phone calls.
1] coastguard or local police. they will call in who ever is needed.
2] your insurance co. usboat ins has spill/ fule recovery in most of their plans that pays up to like apx $800,000.00
3 ] the salvage, recovery etc is the ins co's job. marking the location or vessel is on the police/coastguard.
in most cases, no worries on someone grabbing your boat and claiming it. that would lend full rsponsability on them for ALL COSTS involved with its sinking and recovery, including the spill clean up. that salvage rights thing is used on expensive vessels that have been down a considerable amount of time, not a river sinking of a small craft that will be pulled out in a few days. you dont lose ownership or responsability, at the surface of the water....
4] no personal experiance on usboat claims, BUT, from everything i hear, claims are handled as quickly as humanly posiable. they are reputable, and bad publicity is hard to find on them. During "Sandy" they had an army of reps out dealing with vast numbers of clains.
5] past all of the above, most laws and rules, require that you simply, " act prudently and responsably, " @ make the calls, assist in interviews, file the proper reports, give accurate information. Boats sink, **** happens, and accadents are a part of life. its not the end of the world providing you have insurance and make the call to police as soon as your boat sinks.