TowBoatUS San Diego Raises Sunken Boat just Days After It is Launched

What turned out to be the beginning of a fun filled year of boating turned into a nightmare for one boat owner on Friday. Just days after a new motor was installed and the boat launched and placed in a slip for use in San Diego Bay, The boat suddenly and with no obvious reason sank in its slip. The owner had driven the boat the day before on a shakedown cruise then tied it up in its new slip at the Chula Vista Marina. Reports were that boat was floating at 5 am that morning and sank around 9 am. Vessel Assist San Diego arrived with a salvage team of Captains Rob Butler, Tony Olson, and Travis Basom.   Captain Rob Butler and Captain Travis Basom arrived on Vessel Assist Harbor Island while Captain Tony Olson delivered salvage gear by land. Captain Travis Basom, the salvage diver for the operation, strategically placed 2000lb float bags on the stern of the vessel. Once the float bags were inflated, a gas powered pump was used to pump most of the water out. A 12 volt pump, pumped the rest of the water out as Captain Rob Butler towed the now floating vessel and placed it on the owners trailer. The cause of the sinking is under investigation by the insurance company.
So what do you do if your boat sinks in its slip? Well first thing is the marina usually knows your boat is sunk before you do, or at least they better. But the first thing you want to do is report the sinking to the US Coast Guard and the Department of Fish and Game. Both of these parties will be interested in the pollution part of the incident, as well as, how and when you intend to remove the boat from the water as you are required to by law. A call to the Harbor Police should be secondary especially if you suspect foul play. Then Call your Insurance Company and File a claim. Ask to talk to an adjuster immediately. Boat US insurance has a great Claims center, they have adjusters on call to assist you and in most cases can authorize the salvage, wreck removal, mechanical, and emergency haul out. Some other companies have good claims centers some will take your name and number and send it to an adjuster, this could take days, which brings us to the next step. You must act as if you have no insurance. This means you need to hire the salvage company, arrange for an emergency haul out and a mechanic to try and pickle the equipment out to preserve it. Most boat owners have their favorite mechanics and boat yards. Just be aware, if you do not have any preferences the salvage company will take it to whatever yard they can get the quickest service from. If you have a wooden boat of a cement boat, be aware that boat yards are very reluctant to accept them in a post sunken state. Boat yards may require a deposit in order to haul the boat out. Between the salvage company, the boat yard and the mechanics. you will be looking at several thousand dollars, so it is important to have an insurance company that has a claims center that can respond 24 hours a day with a real adjuster that can make decisions. Also, Check your policy make sure you have the proper coverage that will cover you in case you have an accident. You want coverage that will pay for the removal of your boat as well as the emergency haul our and any other cost incurred. A good insurance company will know the importance of getting a mechanic to pickle your motor(s) and equipment even on a holiday or weekend.
The best way to deal with a sunken boat is to prevent it from sinking. Make a weekly check of your bilges and pumps. Run your motor(s) often especially in winter. Check on your boat before and after a major storm. Make sure the marina has the latest and most current data on you including your insurance information. Have a secondary emergency contact on file with the marina. You may feel free to have Vessel Assist San Diego as your emergency contact if your boat is in San Diego. our 24 hour number is 619-235-8273.
Vessels Assist San Diego Provides a service for any boater free of charge. the service includes a listing in our data base of your emergency contacts, you specific instructions on where to take your boat in case of an emergency, your current insurance information. Also included is a free check on your boat while you are out of town, on vacation, or if your unable to get to your boat to check on it yourself. For More information call 619-235-8273