A Fourth of July Weekend Tow

Dick Moulison
Member #: 710-710352

The weather was great as our flotilla left the Danvers River and made its way south toward Boston, then up through the locks into the Charles River. Planning paid off as we were able to secure a great spot along the inside of one of the two islands close to the Hatch Shell. As we got into the Charles I noticed that the shifting on my starboard engine was becoming a little erratic. I could shift into gear but had great difficulty getting it to dis-engage. As I started to moor up, I completely lost the ability to get it out of gear without shutting the engine off. With helping hands from our friends, the SEA TRAIN, along with all the other boats in our group were able to nudge their bows up onto the island, raft up and set anchors. Shifting problems were temporarily forgotten as we were in the Charles and secure.

My thoughts eventually turned to how in the world I was going to get back out of the river and home to Danvers on one engine. In open water I thought I would be fine. It was getting out of the Charles River and getting into the Danvers River that bothered me. I Later learned, that the day I came into the Charles 1400 other boats did the same thing. Getting through that traffic with two engines was tough... with one on the way out it would be impossible. I decided to call Sea Tow and see if they could help.

SEA TRAIN, is a 30’ Carver, with twin Mercruiser I/Os, that Karen and I keep meticulously maintained. In the years that we’ve had her we’ve never had the slightest problem. I, however, kept seeing those yellow Sea Tow boats every time I went out and decided I better join. I figured that if I joined I’d never break down but it would be nice to know they would be there for me if I did. In July of 1995 Karen and I became Sea Tow members. Each year after we renewed for another year.

On the afternoon of July 4th I called 1-888-2-SEATOW, a toll free telephone number on my membership card. I immediately got in touch with Sea Tow Boston’s regional dispatch center. We discussed my shifting problem in some detail and what I could do to fix it. Unfortunately my shifting system is electronic and there was no quick fix available. Sea Tow, therefore, came up with a simple solution. They would arrange to have a towboat available at 0900 the next morning to tow the SEA TRAIN out of the Charles River and back to Danvers. Here it was, the busiest boating day of the year and with a five minute phone call I had gotten some valuable advice and arranged a tow. With my mind at ease I sat back and enjoyed the extravaganza. That night the concert was great and the fireworks were better.

Just after nine the next morning I spotted the distinctive yellow Sea Tow towboat RELIANT weaving its way through the crowded anchorage in my direction. In no time at all the towboat captain had backed our 30’ Carver out of its moored position between two other vessels and placed it in a side tow.

The crush of boats leaving the Charles River was unbelievable. Hundreds of boats were all jockeying for position and queuing up to get through the old locks, under two narrow bridges and into the newer 26 foot wide locks which lead out into the harbor. The SEA TRAIN has a 12 foot beam and the Sea Tow boat a 10 foot beam which, including fenders, gave the combined tow a overall width of about 23 feet. Unbelievably, Sea Tow Captain Steve Winkler skillfully maneuvered the boats for the three hours it took to traverse this one mile obstacle course without touching anything.

Once safely in the Harbor, Sea Tow released the SEA TRAIN from its tow. They were willing to tow me all the way home but, after some testing we found I could easily make a good speed of about 9 knots under my one good engine. For safety the Sea Tow dispatch center suggested that he escort me back. The towboat RELIANT escorted SEA TRAIN out of Boston Harbor and as far as Nahant at which point a Sea Tow Salem boat RESPONDER rendezvoused with us. The Salem boat continued our escort up into Beverly. At the entrance of Beverly Harbor the SEA TRAIN was again put into a side tow by Captain Steve Winkler Jr. and towed into the winding Danvers river under three drawbridges to Liberty Marina. Captain Steve Jr. actually asked me if I moored up in my slip bow first or stern first. I was worried about just getting into the slip with the current but he was only concerned about getting it in correctly.

Our odyssey started at 9:00 AM that morning and was finally completed at 4:20 PM over seven hours later. My problem turned out to be a small microswitch on the shifter which was easily replaced by my own mechanic at the marina. The service I received from Sea Tow was exceptional. Thanks to Sea Tow we were able to enjoy our mini vacation and get home safely. We definitely received priority service for our $95 membership fee. Thank you Sea Tow!