Yesterday I was going out for a quick fishing trip. It was super windy. On my way back to the ramp I noticed a boat out in the middle. I figured they were just scoping which happens often. I start looking and here the group is paddling. I pull up ask them if they need help. I ended up towing them back to the ramp. When asked if they owe me anything I told them no. Just if you ever see anyone in a situation on the water like that please offer help. 
 

The water is a very dangerous and unforgiving place. Don’t ever get to caught up in your fishing or yourself to not lend a helping hand if needed. You never know when you might need that helping hand someday. 

Strong work!

Once I saw a guy in the water next to his kayak on the Potomac. He was maybe 20 yards off the bank and it was a hot day so maybe he was just cooling off but I went by to check anyways and asked if he needed help. He actually fell out, lost his keys and wallet and some rods. He said this was his first time out on a fishing kayak after selling his boat. We helped him in and then towed him to the dock...he muttered he was going to sell the kayak and buy another boat.

 

Yep, always check, you just never know.

 

 

My old boat was pretty small...one sunny Saturday afternoon I was getting sleepy...so tied off on a tree and lay down on the front deck. The boat was so small I had to lay my knee up against side...

 

Guy and his wife were kayaking the lake...and stopped by to check on me.

 

They said it looked like I passed out. I thanked them for checking on me. And went back to napping : )

I've helped many people in the years I've been boating/fishing and have been helped in return.  Always pay it forward.

I’ve towed and been towed. It just happens. Nothing bugs me quite like seeing boaters ignoring someone blowing a whistle. Especially when they are elderly. What kind of human excrement looks the person blowing the whistle in the eye and chooses to leave them in their wake ? Good on you Susky for helping. 

I even helped a ski boat once.

46 U.S. Code § 2304 - Duty to provide assistance at sea

(a)

(1)

A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master’s or individual’s vessel or individuals on board.

(2)

Paragraph (1) does not apply to a vessel of war or a vessel owned by the United States Government appropriated only to a public service.

(b)

A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

I don't think this applies to inland bodies of water but I don't see any reason why they should be treated any differently. I try to render aid to anyone I see that needs it because that is what I would hope someone would do for me if I were in need of assistance.

2 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

I even helped a ski boat once.

It’s like eating something you don’t like but it’s good for you. 😁

Good job Alex

I've rescued and towed a few boats back to their docks in my autopilot... If I see anyone that looks like they could be in trouble.. I'll usually holler at them to make sure they are ok... 

@MRQturbo are you towing a boat with a kayak? That’s like towing a full sized truck with a Prius! 😂

I Googled you and found this:

 

1 hour ago, 12poundbass said:

@MRQturbo are you towing a boat with a kayak? That’s like towing a full sized truck with a Prius! 😂

Yes I have a motorized kayak... Towing on the water is much easier than it looks... They guy was stranded for like an hour in the area I was fishing... He was trying to paddle back to his dock before I noticed that he was paddling and not fishing.. That's when I finally went over to ask if he was ok... He didn't think I was going to be able to tow him back but I did... His neighbours were pretty surprised too when we got close to his property... 

2 hours ago, MRQturbo said:

Yes I have a motorized kayak... Towing on the water is much easier than it looks... They guy was stranded for like an hour in the area I was fishing... He was trying to paddle back to his dock before I noticed that he was paddling and not fishing.. That's when I finally went over to ask if he was ok... He didn't think I was going to be able to tow him back but I did... His neighbours were pretty surprised too when we got close to his property... 

 

Oh I know it’s much easier towing on water and I figured you had a motorized kayak. Still, that would be funny to see a kayak towing a boat. 

@MRQturbo is a man amongst boys 

8 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

@MRQturbo is a man amongst boys 

@MRQturbo “oh there’s a freighter stranded in the middle of the Gulf of America…hold my beer.”

 

Here’s a fact most don’t know, the ship that blocked the Suez Canal a couple years ago, it’s was actually MrQ and his kayak that got it unstuck! 😂

@12poundbass someone had to do it!

My boat insurance policy has a complimentary towing service as a part of it if I am stalled on the water.

 

I've always wondered exactly how this would work if it was needed.  Is there a towing company out there that comes to the lake, launches a boat, and then pulls me in?

 

@Susky River Rat are you a contractor for my insurance company? 🤔

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

 

Oh I know it’s much easier towing on water and I figured you had a motorized kayak. Still, that would be funny to see a kayak towing a boat. 

I had another rescue where I was launching... And a guy launched his 17' alumacraft.. But his tie rope was not tied to his boat so he was left holding the rope as we both watched the boat float away... He had to jump into the back of my kayak for a lift to get his boat back lol.. I wished I had remembered to snap a pic of that boat slipping away.. 

5 minutes ago, gim said:

I've always wondered exactly how this would work if it was needed

There’s one way to find out. 😂

 

We say that at work quite a bit when we have an unknown fiber that nobody has located and we don’t know who it belongs to. “There’s one way to find out…cut it and see who shows up ticked off.” 
 

Of course we don’t actually do that.

1 hour ago, gim said:

My boat insurance policy has a complimentary towing service as a part of it if I am stalled on the water.

 

I've always wondered exactly how this would work if it was needed.  Is there a towing company out there that comes to the lake, launches a boat, and then pulls me in?

 

@Susky River Rat are you a contractor for my insurance company? 🤔

My insurance uses towboatus for their rescue tows. I have mine through GEICO

@gim as long as your insurance pays me 😂😂

Towboat US or SeaTow is probably who would come. It would take a while in most cases, wave someone down or phone a friend is going to be quicker  

On 4/28/2025 at 8:33 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

My old boat was pretty small...one sunny Saturday afternoon I was getting sleepy...so tied off on a tree and lay down on the front deck. The boat was so small I had to lay my knee up against side...

 

Guy and his wife were kayaking the lake...and stopped by to check on me.

 

They said it looked like I passed out. I thanked them for checking on me. And went back to napping : )

I nap on my boat quite often;  usually when the sun is warm and they ain't bitin'.

I've been on the other end of things.

 

I dumped my kayak last summer trying to free up a bait, WHOOPS in I go.

 

There was a guy, within 50 yards of me that never checked on me or yelled if I needed help.

 

Luckily I was able to stand in about 4 feet of water, but I'll never forget that SOB.