Questionable Salvage On 58TC

[Freeebird]

I mentioned this boat in a bumped thread and assumed when the term, salvage, was used, it was in error. It obviously wasn't.

A TowBoat US Captain posted photos and information and photos on Facebook of, Empty Pockets, which ran aground at the entrance to Cabbage Key. The boat was sitting in less than four feet of water, as evidenced by these "divers" standing waist-deep on the bottom, and the boat wasn't even listing. It is obvious the owner and crew were still on the boat. I questioned this situation, and the Captain said...

Salvage also comes into play when specialized equipment such as pumps, air bags, or divers are called for - even if the boat is at he dock. This specific vessel was hard aground and required airbags and divers.

He then went on to say...

Hard aground vessels under specific conditions in our region during winter low tides that persist for weeks at a time require floating a vessel to ensure no damage is caused to the members vessel.

Photos were posted of the vessel being towed to, someplace where the real fun will begin. This involved TowBoat US Charlotte Harbor. He stopped replying when I asked, "And how long between the grounding and your salvage determination and subsequent removal?"

Things that make you go... hmmmm.

[Freeebird]

Does this look like a salvage scenario to you?

[Freeebird]

The post was just deleted. This is insurance fraud, plain and simple. Does anyone know who the current owner is?

I have screenshots of the photos and descriptions.

[Pascal]

I saw the whole series of pic on FB earlier and don’t understand what the problem was. Looked like the bow was up on some shallows but the boat was level and slightly low at the stern confirming a bow aground scenario. Launch the whaler and it may have almost floated out.. or pull with the whaler.

Winter low tides??? That s a new one. Actually looking at current water levels in the area, tides are running higher than predicted ...

[Freeebird]

The Facebook post was dated January 3. I'll bet Cabbage Key has the information on that boat. If not, Clearwater Municipal will. This kind of thing is inexcusable.

[Bugsy]

Hold on, Bullwinkle!! ( Joking, joking) but...

Though I agree that the photos don't appear to support salvage, one should be VERY careful in making an allegation of criminal conduct; ie, "insurance fraud".

[Freeebird]

Well, Dudley, how about you explaining how this was a salvage situation?

If it wasn’t, that would constitute fraud, right?

No pumps running, the crew of the endangered vessel weren’t even wearing life jackets, the “divers” were in waist-deep water, and the boat wasn’t even listing. Add to that the post was deleted when someone else pointed this out as padding the insurance bill, and there you go.

This is just a PSA for my fellow Hatteras owners... who live in the USA. (Joking, joking)