USCG SAR policy
This is something I am quite familar with, as I deal with most every day.
The current SAR policy (what the CG will and wont do) was reconstructed in the 80's, the current massaged version is accessable by a link below. The reason it was changed from what the old timers remember (which is that the CG tows everyone for whatever reason) is because congress was taking a good look at the CG budget and wondering why the government was running a free boat towing service when commercial enterprise could do it at no cost to the taxpayer. I liken it to the CG being "Mountain Rescue" and the commercial operators being like AAA. You dont call mountain rescue when you are out of gas. This also would help boaters to pay a bit more attention to the maintainence of thier vessel. If you know it will cost you a healthy towing bill, you may just stop and think a bit more before heading out. (that part hasnt worked, trust me!)
In a nutshell...
First, if lives are in danger, everyone who can, heads for the scene. This includes any marine law enforcement, CG assets, which include aircraft, the USCG Auxilary, and regular USCG boats. Typically SeaTow and Vessel Assist will come too. I run on most every boater related distress call. The priority is to rescue souls. Property is secondary, however if they (The USCG) have no other priorities, they typically will attempt to bring the boat back too. Helo's and the larger boats carry encased pumps that are printed with universal language instructions that most everyone can understand. They may also take the people off and turn the boat over to a commercial operator who can stabilize the boat and bring it safely in, if one is available.
If you are just drifting, engine, steering, or some other failure that renders your boat inoperative, and you are in no immediate distress and you call the coast guard, they will run through a prepared script and ask you all sorts of seemingly unimportant questions. The answers to these questions will determine whether the SMC (SAR Mission Commander) thinks that you need assistance and how soon.
Most likely you will hear this, "Captain, for the situation you have described, it is Coast Guard policy to assist you in locating other timely and competent help. Is there a friend, marina, or commercial firm you would like us to contact for you?"
This is where you ask for them to contact SeaTow for you. If you refuse commercial assistance, they will then ask you if you would like them to issue a MARB (Marine Assistance Request Broadcast). They will make a broadcast over VHF 16 that sounds like this. "All stations, (3 times) this is Coast Guard Group Astoria, relaying a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast for the Vessel "More Dollars than Sense" 15 miles offshore of Cape Disapointment, for more information switch and listen on channel 22 Alpha, this is USGC Group Astoria, OUT" Then on 22a they will broadcast the rest of the pertinant info, vessel description, GPS position, nature of problem, etc. This broadcast invites any good samaritans to come to your aid.
Be advised, the people manning the radio are usually the most junior people on the base, this can be very frustrating during the information gathering phase of the process, they may ask what seems to you, very silly questions. One recent boater I towed was 15 minutes up river in a mass of about 500 small recreational fishing boats and they were asked if they had enough food and water on board. Its all part of the script they have to go through, be patient. Keep in mind that the usual radio operator may have never even been on a boat and most likely does not know the local area, so telling them you are in the "sandy bottom fishing hole" wont help them much, always have a GPS so you can give them an accurate position.
The problem with the MARB is when you get a good sam, you have no idea of their experience, boat conditon and capability, or even if they have a tow rope that will survive the tow. (an anchor line works sometimes, but will usually part after a while). I carry about $900 worth of tow line aboard...and I cry every time it gets cut or broke. (4 times this season so far.) : (
The other consideration is insurance, commercial providers have huge insurance policies that cover them, and your boat too. If you have a serious problem while being towed by a good sam, like being pulled over rocks by a shallow draft powerboat, (We cut that buoy all the time dude!) with your fin keel, your insurance will probably want to go after the powerboaters policy (since he was the official captain of your vessel) and for certain he has no rider for towing.
I dont want to disuade good sam's from coming to help, and come you should, but it may be best to stand by, make sure everyone is OK and the boat is not standing into danger, convince the owner that commercial assistance is the best policy. After all, its what we do every day and most of us are pretty darn good at it.
In some places, especially out here on the Bar, a simple engine failure can become a serious distress in mere moments, determing what is a distress and what is a towing job is the purpose of the USCG SMC, this officer makes the decision whether to go or not, based on your location, weather, large ship traffic in the area and your own level of apprehension.
Be advised, if the coast guard does come tow you, you will probably get boarded and inspected once you get back to a safe harbor. A good reason to be very polite and appreciative to the guardsmen who come to get you. The nearest safe harbor may not be your home harbor and you still may need someone to tow you back home. The inspection process usually takes an hour or more and consists of having 3 or so 20-30 year old coasties climb all over your boat in black soled combat boots. 50% of the time a violation or two are found. (I listen in to the USCG radio frequencys that most folks are not aware of). The tickets are not cheap. Another reason to have a SeaTow membership.
The Link to the USCG Maritime SAR assistance policy is below. The interesting part starts on page 8 of the .pdf.
add "http" a colon, two backslashes and 3 w's to the beginning of the next line
.d1nr-bcqp.us/documents/MSAP.pdf (apparantly I do not have enough posts to post a link... what a pain...
I hope this helps you understand some of what happens when you have a problem on the water, I tried not to make it too much of a commercial for SeaTow, you be the judge. I do believe in the system though, for a measly $149/year, you are covered for most every thing that is likely to happen, its really the best deal in boating. My rate for non-members is $250/HOUR and the average tow is 2+ hours, you do the math.
Captain Ron Micjan
SeaTow Lower Columbia River