Vessel Assist San Diego  

Hampered by High fuel Prices last year, the normally busy 4th of July weekend was a little on the slow side for Vessel Assist San Diego. This year may prove to be different. Not only is the fuel back to a somewhat reasonable price, but the 4th falls on a Saturday and the [...]

Walking around boat shows these days I see plenty of boat dealers boasting about the 400 and 500 mile range of the boats that they’re selling. I’m sure that with new technology and modern hull designs they are pretty close but how can you be sure of what your fishing or cruising range really is?
The [...]

June 12, 2009, approx 2200: Vessel Assist San Diego was called to rescue a 40’ sailboat before it broke apart on the south jetty at Oceanside harbor. Captain Tony Olson and his salvage team mobilized their rescue boat, the “Vessel Assist Shelter Island”, adding additional towline and salvage gear before departing San Diego for [...]

The Mission Bay channel entrance is one of the most dangerous places boaters can find themselves in the San Diego area. Although most boaters feel that they are maintaining a safe distance from the jetty, the currents rip around the rocks, often putting boaters and their vessels in danger.  This proved to be the case [...]

Vessel Assist “Shelter Island” , the most powerful commercial assistance vessel in the area, took off with its crew at 0400 today to tow a disabled 42′ yacht stranded 80 nautical miles south of Point Loma. This leads us to the big question: how much will an 80 mile tow cost?…

Part of my task of testing the Rescue 21 system has been to trailer my 28’ Vessel Assist Zodiac all over the country. In doing so I have been able to use three different diesel trucks.

1. 2006 2wd Dodge 2500 Mega Cab
2. 2008 4wd Ford F-250 Crew Cab
3. 2009 4wd Chevy 3500 crew Cab

To be fair the dodge is only a two wheel drive and is not equipped with the Smog restraints that the Ford and Chevy are, but I did come up with a point system that through my own personal experience…

Owning 11 boats I have had the pleasure and the pain of using many different types of electronics. With the advent of all-in-one systems there are plenty to choose from. Two of the most popular systems are built by Garmin and Raymarine.

GARMIN 4212. (I also run the 5212, which I believe is a better system than the 4212 because of the touch screen, but to be fair to the Raymarine I will compare the 4212.) The Garmin is a very dependable unit with as many options as a mariner would likely need…

Understanding the difference between towing and salvage can save boaters money and aggrevation. Historically and legally, salvage is any voluntary and successful rescue of a boat., its cargo and/or its passengers from a peril at sea. BoatUS, however, narrows this definition. When contracting for towing services on behalf of its 600,000 members, it requires that marine assistance companies distinguish between simple towing and/or soft groundings and the more serious and expensive salvage efforts where distress or danger exist…

It’s been two years in the making but “Vessel Assist La Jolla” is up and running ready to serve in Mission Bay.  The all aluminum 24′ MonArk is nicknamed “THE TANK” but don’t let the nickname fool you. Powered with a 240 HP Cummins diesel and a Bravo X drive the “La Jolla” will top [...]

Robert Butler, President of Vessel Assist San Diego received a call from a marine surveyor. “Rob I have a task that I think you may be able to help me with.” Always into a challenge Rob was all ears. “I have a 30’ vessel sunk on the bottom of Lake Powell in 400’ of water [...]