Maritime salvage and towing operators resort to trickery, collecting big bucks in salvage claims

By Juan Rojas

As the president of charter yacht company, I own a number of yachts and boats at two of the largest marinas in Miami. Our knowledgeable captains, crew, and staff work hard to provide our clients with a memorable experience each time they reserve one of our luxury yachts. And to ensure an exceptional and worry-free experience, we have established agreements with local maritime salvage and towing companies – just in case.

We initiated memberships with these companies to safeguard our vessels in case they encounter any minor issues or, in the worst case, an emergency situation. Recently, however, these salvors have taken advantage of my captains’ trust in their services.

A few months ago, for instance, one of my captains was in charge of a chartered 43-foot Marquis Yacht when he experienced issues with the vessel’s bilge and strainer. Following protocol, the captain notified a local maritime salvage and towing company to help drain the water from the bilge. This vessel was safely anchored and not in peril, but because we had an existing agreement with the company, the captain called for assistance. Continue reading…

“Trying to Turn a Toothache into a Root Canal”

When you’re out on your boat and there’s a problem, it can be a scary situation. Trust me, as a salvage operator who has worked in South Florida waters for more than a decade, I’ve seen countless situations where boaters have required assistance. But needing help shouldn’t be an invitation to get ripped off by a predatory operator, and that’s why I support legislation to provide additional price transparency for boaters.

The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Dana Young and Rep. Shawn Harrison, is currently being considered by the Florida Legislature. It would require maritime salvage and towing companies to give boaters a written estimate before providing service. This is important because many boaters aren’t aware of the costs of some of these services or what situations constitute a salvage claim. Continue reading…

An invented state of peril: How one salvor cashed in on “Pirate Booty” after Hurricane Irma

I’ve spent the last 40 years as a boater, and I certainly enjoy spending time on the water. I live part of the year in the Florida Keys, and that’s where I keep Pirate Booty – the Gulf Star Viking boat I’ve owned for several years.

Earlier this year, when news broke that Hurricane Irma could be heading toward Florida, I was understandably concerned. But I took the necessary precautions and made sure my boat was secured at the marina and prepared for the worst – even while I held out hope that the massive storm would shift course. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Keys on September 10. Continue reading…

When safety is at stake, let boaters make an informed decision

Last year, I was out on the water in my 22-foot fishing boat and experienced an issue with the bilge pump that ultimately caused my engine to cut out. I called for a tow from a well known and national maritime salvage and towing company and they gladly towed me the 15 miles back to shore. The bill I received for this tow was about $1,200, which was pricey but reasonable in my opinion. Thankfully, my insurance covered this cost and it came with an annual membership to this national company. I was glad to have insurance and now glad I have a maritime salvage and towing membership. Continue reading…

Transparency is Important on the Water

Before I could walk, I was on a boat and I grew up with the ocean at my door. Even now in my retirement, I thoroughly enjoy going fishing and shrimping – whether inshore on my skiff or offshore on my boat, the Nautical Gator. Knowing Murphy’s Law, I recognize that anything that can go wrong will go wrong – usually in the blink of an eye. That’s why I knew I needed to protect myself with the best boating coverage I could find, so I did what many boaters do: I purchased a maritime salvage and towing membership to make sure I had a resource I could call on in a pinch. Continue reading…