Truce Declared in Mexico Towboat Tussle?
via The Log.com News.
At issue is whether U.S.-flagged commercial towing companies such as Sea Tow and Vessel Assist — which have thousands of towing service membership holders nationwide — have the right to enter Mexican waters to bring home U.S. boats.
Of course they have the right to enter Mexican waters, but I’m not sure that I understand how they get around the required check-in procedure at the first port-of-call. Even if a treaty allows VAAA to tow out of Mexico, you still have clear in each time you enter a foreign port, don’t you?
To add some irony to the story, the owner of Vessel Assist San Diego has complained on his Facebook page about all the illegal Mexicans up in San Diego stealing work from Americans. Question for Rob; how would you feel about Baja Tow bringing disabled boats into San Diego harbor without checking in at the customs dock? Turn-around is a bitch, eh?
Final thought: Where the heck does BOAT/US stand on this issue? Why is the local tower left to deal with an international problem of servicing BOAT/US members in foreign waters? The article indicates that SeaTow has reached a compromise with the Mexican tow company.
