Quote:
Originally Posted by smackdaddy
John, a couple of questions:
1. Any ideas on the rough cost of a pro salvage on this thing? Are we talking $5K-10K? More?
2. Also, what could an owner do, on his own, on the cheap, to remedy the situation? Chainsaw it to pieces at low tide? Haul the pieces to the dump?
I'm just curious what a real solution here is for an owner if they don't have the money to pay for a salvage or serious hauling operation. For example, it seems that for this boat you're talking hauling whatever you chop up across the water, then to a truck at the nearest road Then to the dump or landfill. Then what environment issues are you facing when you do this? What permits do you need?
It looks like any way you try it - it's going to be very expensive.
|
Smack,
I really couldn't even venture what it would cost to salvage this boat. My very general knowledge about costs of salvaging comes from reading insurance reports (Seaworthy, etc) on the costs of salvaging boats that were fully insured. My impression is that those costs are partly situational (location, risk, difficulty, etc) but almost universally fairly steep. Hence the frequent admonition to clarify that a situation is NOT a salvage when requesting towing assistance.
But if I had to guess, I think your figure of $5-10K for a professional salvage is in the ballpark. For that fee you'd get more than just a refloating of the vessel. A professional salvor would obtain any necessary permits and employ measures (encircling with petroleum absorbent booms, etc) to mitigate environmental damage.
But beyond the salvor's fees, there would be other costs. Once the vessel is refloated, it will need to be immediately towed, hauled, blocked, and stored. There are other cost uncertainties too. Who knows, if there are fines assessed against the vessel, it may be "impounded" until those fines are paid.
Absent the resources to pay for salvage or execute it himself, what is an owner to do? Good question. I don't have an answer. Personal bankruptcy?
For those lacking the resources to self-insure, this certainly would be a cautionary example in favor of maintaining at a minimum liability and salvage insurance, even on boats with minimal market value.