Unseaworthy ??

pan

pan

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Hi, in the process of purchasing a used boat there is reference in the MOA to 'unseaworthy', on my enquiries it seems that there are differing definitions what this constitutes. Clearly a gapping hole in the hull & bilge pumps pumping would seem unseaworthy to most people, but what about failing seals on engine seawater pumps? Nav lights not working? Fuel line small leak/ big leak? My original thought would be these would be considered unseaworthy by the MCA, but it appears others in the industry would not. This will probably open a big can of worms, but after discussing with other boat owners, it seems the term is unclear to most boaters?

Pan..
 
I am certainly no expert on such matters but to me a boat is unseaworthy if I am aware, or made aware, of anything I would consider to be dangerous. A fuel leak, dangerous, nav lights not working? If I was only going for a short day jaunt up the river, knowing I would be back before dusk, I would take that chance.
 
Caliban said:
I am certainly no expert on such matters but to me a boat is unseaworthy if I am aware, or made aware, of anything I would consider to be dangerous. A fuel leak, dangerous, nav lights not working? If I was only going for a short day jaunt up the river, knowing I would be back before dusk, I would take that chance.
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Well I wouldn't. Things could go wrong & you might not be back before dusk...................with no Nav lights etc etc ???

If any boat has defects that might/could put the boat & its crew in danger when at sea then it is unseaworthy.
Quite clear to me.
 
Would you go anywhere in it with your wife and kids aboard other than a 5 min journey from mooring to crane perhaps.


Have seen houseboats sink when moved because mud sealing the seams has washed out when underway. :)
 
Sandyman said:
Well I wouldn't. Things could go wrong & you might not be back before dusk...................with no Nav lights etc etc ???

If any boat has defects that might/could put the boat & its crew in danger when at sea then it is unseaworthy.
Quite clear to me.
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A perfectly valid point; noted. This is the 'Law of Sod' to which you refer, and no stranger to me :)
Speaking only for myself, as I realise most those who post here go to sea, I am one of those oddities that like the inland waterways. Danger is present wherever you go, but for me safety is only as far away as the riverbank. Barring a catastrophic explosion (which would do for me wherever I was) I am pretty optimistic I could make landfall, even if taking water.
 
oldgit said:
Would you go anywhere in it with your wife and kids aboard other than a 5 min journey from mooring to crane perhaps.


Have seen houseboats sink when moved because mud sealing the seams has washed out when underway. :)
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I am not sure if this is directed at me or not. The boat is my floating mancave, it is where I go to escape, to be by myself.
But to take your point, were I with my family I would not take any risks at all
 
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oldgit said:
Would you go anywhere in it with your wife and kids aboard other than a 5 min journey from mooring to crane perhaps.


Have seen houseboats sink when moved because mud sealing the seams has washed out when underway. :)
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Yes my interpretation would follow what some have said here, but it seems the meaning is probably different when it comes to the contract... laymans terms most would probably agree, however views in the industry vary from if it's ok to do a couple of hours in the bay to a small fuel leak doesn't matter, in the contract 'unseaworthy' does not mean what we all think!

Pan
 
Caliban said:
A perfectly valid point; noted. This is the 'Law of Sod' to which you refer, and no stranger to me :)
Speaking only for myself, as I realise most those who post here go to sea, I am one of those oddities that like the inland waterways. Danger is present wherever you go, but for me safety is only as far away as the riverbank. Barring a catastrophic explosion (which would do for me wherever I was) I am pretty optimistic I could make landfall, even if taking water.
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If the boat sinks blocking or impeding the navigation the River Authority concerned will raise the boat using some very impressive equipment.The bill will land on your doorstep and your insurance company may decide the boat was unseaworthy and refuse to cough up.......the bill for 20-30K will then be all yours...they will sue to recover the cost.!
 
oldgit said:
If the boat sinks blocking or impeding the navigation the River Authority concerned will raise the boat using some very impressive equipment.The bill will land on your doorstep and your insurance company may decide the boat was unseaworthy and refuse to cough up.......the bill for 20-30K will then be all yours...they will sue to recover the cost.!
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I am sure they will.
I'm reminded of an old saying about blood and stones.

However, I am failing to see how a dodgy nav light could result in such a situation. Were the boat to be sinking before I set out then I would deem it unseaworthy, the topic of this thread.

We've drifted somewhat, I fear
 
Caliban said:
I am sure they will.
I'm reminded of an old saying about blood and stones.

However, I am failing to see how a dodgy nav light could result in such a situation. Were the boat to be sinking before I set out then I would deem it unseaworthy, the topic of this thread.

We've drifted somewhat, I fear
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I dont see it as a drift at all. You have dodgy Nav lights, yes ? You are on your way back to your moorings, just before dusk,
when your engine fails due to a small fuel leak. Not a problem except the Fishing Boat that sank you 30 min later didn't see you ?..............and had you seen his Nav lights, with no propulsion you could not have got out of his way.

Just a scenario I know, but you have to consider all possible situations
 
Sandyman said:
Just a scenario I know, but you have to consider all possible situations
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I would suggest then that were all sailors to consider every eventually to such a degree, would anyone ever cast off? You would have folks tied to pontoons in brand spanking new boats biting their fingernails down to the knuckle and cra**ing themselves because their vessel was possibly unseaworthy.

I refer back to the OP
pan said:
Hi, in the process of purchasing a used boat there is reference in the MOA to 'unseaworthy', on my enquiries it seems that there are differing definitions what this constitutes. Clearly a gapping hole in the hull & bilge pumps pumping would seem unseaworthy to most people, but what about failing seals on engine seawater pumps? Nav lights not working? Fuel line small leak/ big leak? My original thought would be these would be considered unseaworthy by the MCA, but it appears others in the industry would not. This will probably open a big can of worms, but after discussing with other boat owners, it seems the term is unclear to most boaters?

Pan..
Click to expand...
 
pan said:
Hi, in the process of purchasing a used boat there is reference in the MOA to 'unseaworthy'
Pan..
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Have you asked the vendor (or the broker if there is one) what has led them to state the boat is unseaworthy?
 
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