Terms and their Meanings
The following terms are defined in order to help members understand the privileges that a Tow Sebago membership offers when applied in this agreement and when services are requested.
- Assistance Towing: Non-emergency assistance provided to a disabled vessel (as defined in the Federal Register 1988 and Code of Federal Regulations).
- Charter/Rent/Lease/Borrow: Use of a chartered, rented, boat club or borrowed vessel by the member with the permission of the vessel’s registered owner, where the member is the master of the vessel (has care, custody and control and neither the registered owner of the vessel, nor any family member 18 years or older, is on board). In other words, membership privileges do not apply if the member is only a guest on the vessel at the time it becomes disabled.
- Commercial Vessel: Any vessel, with an engine, that is commercially registered or being used in a commercial manner either generally or at the time it becomes disabled, including, but not limited to charter or rental, peer-to-peer rental, boat club, fishing, dive, survey, law enforcement, crew boat, water taxi, professional race boat, or other such working vessel.
- Covered Vessel: Any vessel entitled to Tow Sebago membership privileges at the time it becomes disabled.
- Dangerous Weather: Breaking waves on shore, or docks or in an inlet (typically due to adverse conditions) that threaten the safety of either the member’s vessel or the Tow Sebago vessel, and/or as determined by the Tow Sebago Captain on scene.
- Disabled (Vessel): A vessel which, while being operated, has been rendered incapable of proceeding under its own power and is in need of assistance.
- Disentanglement: Removal of a line, rope, or other foreign object from the underwater running gear of a disabled vessel to remedy the disablement.
- Fuel Delivery: Delivery of container(s) of gasoline or diesel fuel to a disabled vessel to remedy the disablement.
- Incident: Any event or series of events arising from the same occurrence that rendered the vessel disabled. An incident is deemed ongoing until it is shown to be resolved.
- Jet Ski: Tow Sebago also offers services for jet skis, before towing a Jet ski we must apply a hose clamp on the intake line to close off any water from entering back into the motor compartment.
- Jump Start: Starting a disabled vessel’s engine by attaching an external power supply to the starting circuit to remedy the disablement.
- Member: The person or entity identified on the Tow Sebago Membership Card to whom, and for which, membership privileges apply in accordance with the membership type as indicated on the Card.
- Primary Vessel: The vessel designated by the member prior to disablement, from which the member’s home port is determined. Proof of ownership by the member is required at the time it is disabled.
- Recreational Vessel: Any vessel, with an engine, that is not commercially registered or being used as a commercial vessel at the time it is disabled.
- Safe Location: Within Tow Sebago’s response area, a dock, mooring, or marina. Tow Sebago will not deliver a vessel to an unsecured location such as a beach.
- Salvage Operations: Any act or activity undertaken to assist a vessel or any other property in danger and in any waters whatsoever (per the IMO International Salvage Conference 1989).
