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Q. What information do I need to sign up for a
Sea Tow membership?
A. You’ll
be asked for the name, address, home phone and cell phone number of
the person in whose name the boat(s) are registered. For each boat
to be covered we’ll need the year, make, length, color, boat name,
bow registration (FL#) or documentation number. We’ll also ask for
type of hull material (aluminum, fiberglass) and propulsion type
(Inboard, Outboard, I/O, Sail, Jet) for each vessel to be listed on
your membership. We will also need the Homeport information for
your Primary Vessel. Your Homeport might be the City in which your
home
dock is located. If kept at a Marina, you should provide the Marina
Name and that City location. For a Trailered boat, you should
indicate upon what body of water you do most of your boating so that
your membership can be assigned to the closest Sea Tow provider.
Q. Why do I need to give my boat a name?
A. Smaller boats that are not federally documented are not required to
display a boat name, BUT … if you are calling for Sea Tow assistance
and we lose contact, we have the ability to search memberships by
boat name. Electrical problems often cause a loss of radio
communications. With a boat name, we can often determine the make,
model, color and length of a members’ vessel. We might also
determine a homeport address, home telephone number, cell phone
number, etc. A call to the residence might give us info on where
you were planning to go boating that day; how many persons aboard
and a more precise description of boat color, bimini color, towers,
poling platforms etc. No, your boat does not need to have a name,
but having a boat name may prove quite valuable to you one day.
It’s purely your choice.
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Q. Just what is a PRIMARY Vessel?
A. Once you have been a Sea Tow member for thirty (30) days your
Primary Vessel is eligible for a Free DOCK to DOCK Tow from your
home dock to a nearby boat ramp or repair facility for repairs that
couldn’t be completed at your home dock. If you have just one
boat, that boat is automatically designated as your Primary Boat.
If you have more than one boat you need to designate one to be your
Primary Boat. Dock to Dock Tows are performed Monday thru Friday,
first thing in the morning and on an Appointment Basis ONLY. Dock
to Dock Tows are not done on weekday afternoons, holidays or
weekends so that our Captains can respond and assist members who
develop problems while already underway.
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Q. What will I
receive when I sign up or renew?
A. If you sign up or renew by calling Sea Tow International, you will
receive your membership number and the phone number of your local
Sea Tow provider. You will receive your waterproof membership card
by mail in three to four weeks. If you sign-up online you will
receive a confirmation e-mail containing your membership number.
Print out and hold on to that e-mail until you receive your member
card and information packet in the mail.
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Q. How do I
renew my existing membership?
A. You will receive a renewal notice by mail about one month before
your membership expiration date. You can renew with a credit card by
calling Sea Tow International at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869) or renew
on-line at www.seatow.com.
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Q. Can I sign
up or renew my membership thru the local Sea Tow office?
A. Yes, Sea Tow
Charlotte Harbor can process new and renewal memberships along with
making changes of address and boat information. By renewing in
person at our local office you can obtain the latest we have to
offer in monthly tide tables, free charts and other information
pertaining to our local area. We always enjoy meeting and chatting
with our local members. You may also signup or renew your
membership thru our local office by phone, fax or by mail.
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Q. How long
will it take for my membership to become effective?
A. Your membership will become effective 24 hours after payment is
received and your application is processed.
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Q. When will I
get my Sea Tow Membership card?
A. Members who sign up in person at our local Sea Tow office will
receive a temporary membership card and information packet at that
time. For those who join locally by phone or mail, a receipt and
temporary membership packet should arrive by mail within 2 or 3
days. The permanent waterproof membership card will be mailed to
you from Sea Tow International and should arrive within three to
four weeks after your membership has been processed.
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Q. How long
does it take for membership changes to take effect?
A. All membership changes become effective in 24 hours.
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Q. How do I
change my mailing address?
A. Address changes can be made by contacting the Sea Tow Charlotte
Harbor Local Office. You can also make changes by calling Sea Tow
International at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869). If you prefer, you can
send e-mail to seatowcharlotteharbor@seatow.com and include your name, member
number, old address and new address and a phone number where we can
reach you if further info is needed.
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Q. I need a new
Sea Tow member decal for my boat. How do I get one?
A. You can obtain a new member decal for your boat by calling Sea Tow
International at 800-4SEATOW (473-2869) or by sending e-mail to info@seatow.com. Include your member name, number and the
address you would like the decal mailed to. There is no charge for a
new decal.
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Q. Can I change
the primary vessel listed on my membership?
A. Yes.
There is no fee for changing the primary vessel listed on your
membership. The change takes effect immediately, provided this new
primary vessel is in good working order. Pre-existing problems with
the new primary boat are not covered under your membership.
To update your information call Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor at
941.625.5454 or Sea Tow International at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869).
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Q. But what if
I need a tow before I receive my member card?
A. As long as your membership is active, covered services will be
provided. Any local Sea Tow Office will be able to verify your
membership status in their database. Having a copy of your member
number available will expedite the process. If you need assistance,
HAIL Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor on VHF channel 16
(24hrs a day). You can also reach Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor by phone
at 941-625-5454 (24hrs a day). If you are traveling outside our
local area you can reach any Sea Tow by hailing them on VHF channel
16. You can also reach the Sea Tow Nationwide Dispatch Center at
800-4-SEATOW (800-473-2869) 24 hurs a day.
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Q. How do I get
in touch with Sea Tow when I need assistance?
A. On VHF radio channel 16 call "Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor, Sea Tow
Charlotte Harbor, Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor, this is the vessel
__(name)___." The local Sea Tow dispatcher will answer and take you
to a working channel (usually VHF Channel 10). If there is no
answer to your radio calls you can contact the Coast Guard and ask
them to relay your message to Sea Tow. You can also call Sea Tow
Charlotte Harbor via phone at 941.625.5454 or call our Nationwide
Dispatch Center 800-4-SEATOW. In an emergency, always call the
U.S. Coast Guard FIRST. The Coast Guard will coordinate with us
if Sea Tow assistance is also needed.
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Q. What kind of
response time can I expect from Sea Tow?
A. The response time will vary with each individual situation. On days
of heavy boating traffic, calls are handled on a first member
called—first member served basis. We strive to provide you with assistance as quickly as possible. Our dispatcher will
maintain periodic communication with you to provide you with updates
and to ensure that your situation remains stable. The
Dispatcher will gladly contact anyone awaiting you ashore, so that
they understand that your arrival may be delayed.
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Q. Do I have to
be aboard my vessel in order to request assistance from Sea Tow?
A. No. Sea Tow will provide services to any person that you allow to
use your vessel, providing the vessel is not being used for
commercial purposes.
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Q. How many
times will you tow me in a year?
A. Sea Tow does not have a limit on the amount of free towing (or other
services) that you can receive in one year. As long as you are
properly maintaining your vessel, we will gladly respond to assist
you whenever needed.
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Q. My boat is
at my homedock (or boat ramp) with a dead battery. Will you come
and jumpstart me so I can go out on the water?
A. Experience has shown that a vessel with a dead battery at its
homedock usually needs some sort of maintenance, trickle charging or
even the replacement of its’ failing battery. Sea Tow will gladly
provide you with a jumpstart if you breakdown out on the water and
if that fails, Sea Tow will tow you back in so you can make repairs.
Sea Tow will not respond to your homedock, or to a boat ramp so you
can leave the safety that dock with a battery that’s in questionable
condition.
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Q. What
happens if my boat breaks down at my home dock and needs to be towed somewhere for repairs?
A.
If your Primary Boat breaks down at your homedock and cannot be
repaired there, Sea Tow will provide you with a FREE DOCK TO DOCK
TOW so you can obtain the necessary repairs. Dock to Dock Tows
are performed first thing in the morning, Monday thru Friday on an
appointment only basis. Sea Tow does not perform Dock to Dock
Tows on holidays or weekends so that our Captains are readily
available to respond and assist members who experience problems
while already underway.
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Q. Does Sea Tow
provide coverage in the Bahamas?
A. Yes. Vessels disabled in the Bahamas will be serviced in accordance
with the Sea Tow Member Guide and in accordance with U.S. Customs
regulations. For additional information contact SeaTow International
at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869).
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Q. How far am I
covered offshore?
A. Sea Tow
has no set distance limit on offshore coverage. As long as you can
establish communication,
provide your GPS coordinates and advise on the nature of your
problem, Sea Tow will arrange to assist you. In certain cases, if
you have the tools aboard your vessel and the knowledge to make your
own repairs, Sea Tow may be able to deliver replacement parts
(purchased at your expense) in lieu of a long tow back to shore.
In cases of
impending peril to your vessel or to those persons aboard, Sea Tow
may notify the United States Coast Guard of your call for
assistance. Sea Tow will then work in conjunction with the USCG to
provide them whatever assistance they require. Contact your local
Sea Tow for more information on your specific boating area.
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Q. Can I add an
additional boat to my membership?
A. Yes. A
Gold or Skipper Membership provides member benefits for any boat
owned by or registered to the member. To list secondary vessels on
your membership contact Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor or call Sea Tow
International at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869). Please Note: Corporate
and Commercial Memberships provide services for one boat only.
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| Q. If I sell my
boat, can my membership be transferred to the new owner?
A. Yes. Simply contact us with the name, address, phone number, and
homeport for the new owner, and we will transfer the remaining time
on your membership to them.
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Q. I sold my
boat and plan on buying a new one. Can I transfer the membership to
my new boat?
A. Yes. Simply contact us with the new boat information and we will
transfer the remaining time on your membership to the new boat.
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Q. I sold my
boat and don't plan on buying a new one. Can I get a refund?
A. Refunds, less a processing fee, will be provided within 30 days of
membership activation, provided that no membership services have
been rendered. Refund requests should be directed to Sea Tow
International at 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869)
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Q. Does Sea Tow
offer hull and liability insurance?
A. Sea Tow focuses on providing their members with the best on-water
service possible. For your insurance needs we recommend you contact
American Marine Underwriters at 1-800-824-4540 or
www.boatinginsurance.com/seatow. Be sure to identify yourself as a
Sea Tow member.
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Q. How do I
find a boating course in my local area?
A. For information about boating courses in our local area we recommend
you contact a local U.S. Power Squadron or U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary chapter. Both organizations offer a wide range of boating
safety and instructional courses. More information on courses and
local chapter contact information is available on their websites at www.usps.org and www.uscg.org and by Referring to
the LINKS section of our website. Sea Tow strongly recommends
boater education and works closely with both of these
organizations. Please contact Sea Tow Charlotte Harbor if you need
further information or assistance regarding boating safety programs.
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Q. I have a new
VHF radio equipped with DSC capabilities. How do I obtain an MMSI
number?
A. To register for your unique MMSI number visit our Sea Tow
International homepage at www.seatow.com and click on the link for "MMSI
Account Management" on the right hand side. Procedures for
registering and information on how the DSC capable radios are
enhancing communications is included. Always follow your radio
manufacturer's instructions on how to properly use your DSC equipped
radio. Additionally, a link to the "Recreational
Boating Communications" brochure is available from the Sea Tow
International website.
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Q. I am having
trouble accessing my MMSI account. What do I do?
A. If you are having difficulty accessing your MMSI account through the
link on the Sea Tow International homepage at www.seatow.com please send an e-mail to helpdesk@seatow.com with details of the problem you are having
along with your name, MMSI number and contact information.
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Q. What are
your customer service hours at Sea Tow International?
A. The Sea Tow International Customer Service Center is available 24
hours, every day for your membership, on-water and trailer
assistance needs. Simply phone 1-800-4SEATOW (473-2869) or e-mail info@seatow.com
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