Non-emergency Assistance - Officials from Vessel Assist, the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol and Sea Tow met recently to discuss responses to non-rescue tows. More discussions are scheduled for early 2008.

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Sea Tow and Vessel Assist voice concerns about non-emergency tows.

NEWPORT BEACH - Representatives from Sea Tow and Vessel Assist membership towing companies came together in a Dec. 5 meeting to discuss their concerns with the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol that boaters might be getting "free tows" in cases that are not emergencies.

Key representatives who attended this meeting included Capt. Deana Bergquist, harbormaster in Newport Beach for the Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol; Rob Butler of Vessel Assist San Diego and a board member of C-PORT; Dave La Montagne, CEO and founder of Vessel Assist; Rick Francis, deputy chief of staff for Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach; Chris McCarthy, president of Sea Tow Newport/LA; and other representatives from Sea Tow Southern California.

One of the major issues discussed was Sea Tow's and Vessel Assist's claim that Harbor Patrol officers on the water are performing non-emergency tows for boaters who are not in immediate danger, which La Montagne called a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Assistance towing company representatives said the main problem arises from the public's expectation of Harbor Patrol's assistance. Since the public has come to expect a certain standard of assistance from the Harbor Patrol, tow providers believe it becomes more difficult for officers to say "no" when asked for a non-emergency tow.

"Because Harbor Patrol has been giving these 'free tows,' the public's perception of their duty is completely skewed," Vessel Assist's Butler said. "There are very few harbors in the U.S. that will tow for free when there are commercial vessel assistance providers present."

Despite Vessel Assist and Sea Tow claims about officers assisting with tows in "non-emergency cases," Harbor Patrol representatives, including Capt. Bergquist, emphasized that their mission is simply to ensure public safety and provide public service.

"We have a responsibility and duty to make sure that everyone gets home safe," Capt. Bergquist said. "We don't want to take business away from the others, but we have a job to do."

Currently, Orange County Sheriff's Harbor Patrol policies and procedures regarding non-emergency cases follow a precise set of guidelines, Capt. Bergquist said.

When Harbor Patrol officers first receive a call and establish that it is a non-emergency case, they are required to find out if the boater is a member of a commercial assistance organization. If so, the Harbor Patrol will refer them to that company, she said. However, if the boater is not a member of a vessel assistance provider, the Harbor Patrol will impartially refer them to one of the local commercial assistance towing organizations.

"It is not our intent to make referrals to one specific company. We try to stay unbiased," Capt. Bergquist explained. "As long as the boater gets the help they need, then everything is fine."

Although no conclusions were reached at this meeting, assistance towing providers and Harbor Patrol representatives were able to voice their concerns and share their opinions about the status quo. Tow providers said they are hopeful for future progress.

"This meeting was a first of its kind, in which Sea Tow, Vessel Assist and Harbor Patrol officers were able to have a roundtable discussion about the issues at hand," said McCarthy, of Sea Tow.

"I believe a lot of progress was made, but there is still a lot more to go," Butler added. "The issue isn't going to be resolved tomorrow.

"I personally think the Harbor Patrol is a staple in the boating community: They have done nothing but a great job in working with the community," Butler said.

While tow representatives do not want Harbor Patrol officers involved in non-emergency tows, officers say that non-emergency situations on the water can often develop into emergencies very quickly.

"There is always going to be someone in need of a tow. We cannot make a universal solution," Capt. Bergquist said. "The important thing to do now is to see how closely we can work together on each case, on an individual basis."

Continued discussion on this topic is scheduled for a Jan. 17 meeting, in which assistance towing firms will again meet to consider a possible course of action, possible changes and future compromises.