Welcome to the Sea Tow Atlantic City web site Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) page.
It is hoped that this page will serve to answer most of your questions regarding a membership with Sea Tow.
If you have any further questions that cannot be answered here, send us your enquiry by email and we will respond to it ask soon as possible.
What is Sea Tow? - Sea Tow is organized into three tiers with each having a different function:
Sea Tow International - The Corporate office, located in New York, is responsible for the administration of the Sea Tow world wide membership program and the administration of the Network of professional towers who will assist the members.
Sea Tow Licensee - Each Sea Tow Licensee is charged with regional operation of a large geographic area of responsibility (AOR). The Licensee determines the number of vessels and the level of staffing necessary to properly cover the members in the AOR. Depending on the membership demands each Licensee may have anywhere from 2-20 Captains and vessels operating out of multiple ports within that AOR. Each Sea Tow member, when they join, is assigned a specific Licensee's AOR. The Licensee's AOR thus becomes the member's home area, in this case Sea Tow Atlantic City.
Sea Tow Captains - All Sea Tow Captains are highly trained professionals with years of boating experience. Sea Tow Captains are all United States Coast Guard Licensed Merchant Marine Officers. Our Captains, not only meet the high standards of the Coast Guard, they also meet the professional standards set by Sea Tow International. In the event the covered vessel becomes disabled and needs assistance towing our Sea Tow Captain will be the person that responds to you on the water.
Sea Tow organizations are U.S. Coast Guard qualified and licensed. In addition, all boats and equipment must maintain the high standards established by Sea Tow International.
Equally important is the professionalism of our crews. They are comprised of people knowledgeable in handling the multitude of problems at sea. All have had experience in the Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine or in pleasure or commercial boating. In all cases, they are dedicated boaters.
What is Assistance Towing? - Assistance Towing is non-emergency assistance provided to a disabled vessel. (Definition from the Federal Register 1988).
What is a Covered Vessel? - A Covered Vessel is any vessel covered by a Sea Tow membership type; Gold Card, Skipper Card, Professional Mariner Card or Commercial Card.
What is a Dock to Dock Tow? - A Dock to Dock Tow is a tow from one safe port or marina to another safe port or marina.
What is a Disabled Vessel? - A Disabled Vessel is a vessel which while being operated, has been rendered incapable of proceeding under its own power and is in need of assistance. (Definition from the USCG SAR Policy).
What is a Disentanglement? - A Disentanglement is the removal of a line, rope or other foreign object from the underwater running gear of a disabled vessel.
What is a Fuel Transfer? - A Fuel Transfer is the delivery of gasoline or diesel fuel to a disabled vessel.
What is meant by Hard Aground? - Hard Aground is the state of a vessel grounded on rocks, ledge, shoal or otherwise in a perilous marine situation. Assistance to a vessel hard aground constitutes a salvage operation and will usually be covered under a vessels hull insurance or liability policy.
What is meant by Soft Aground? - Soft Aground, for the purposes of the Sea Tow membership program, is considered when all four of the following conditions apply: The vessel is not in danger. The vessel is surrounded by water on all sides. The vessel has some movement (i.e. rocking). The vessel can be refloated in 15 minutes or by one Sea Tow Boat.
What is considered a Salvage Operation? - A Salvage Operation is any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel or any other property in danger in navigable waters or in any other waters whatsoever. (Definition from the IMO International Salvage Conference 1989).
What is considered my Home Area? - The Home Area is the large geographic area of responsibility (AOR) that a Sea Tow Licensee covers which includes your home port.
What is considered my Home Port? - Your Home Port is your specified marina, yacht club, pier, loading ramp or mooring.
What is a Jumpstart? - A Jumpstart is starting a disabled vessels engine by attaching an outside power source to the starting circuit by means of cables.
What is a Primary Vessel? - A Primary Vessel is the named, or otherwise identified, specific vessel that membership privilege applies to.
What is a Safe Port? - A Safe Port is one that can accommodate the safe mooring of your vessel and has available a means of communication. (Definition from the USCG SAR Policy).