What a low down thing to do to another person. Is Michigan that bad to where its citizens have to turn into highway robbers to surport themselves?

Being born and raised in Lud, 'we' don't treat any one like a money maker, we, and I'm speaking for many have always just done and been there for fellow michaganders, or 'tourists' just because thats the down home kind people we are. If someone left thier car on the side of the road, and 'you' decided to tow it, well thats YOUR choice as a nice person, other wise it really isn't any of your biz, I think that the guy brought in that boat on his own choice, and now trying to hold it hostage for some ones bad luck,. Come on, we need to support fellow boat 'men' and just be michiganders that have the reputations for being helpful and good people. He needs to take the loss as 'saving the boat' and put the good will in his heart, and feel good about that, money can't buy that!

I think all of you are missing the reason salvors exist both professional and amature.Because a need exsists for a service, boats and boater get in trouble.The man who rescued this sailboat got in his boat an manoevered himself in a postion to take it in tow .Quite possibly took risks.He prevented it from going on to the rocks and causing an environmental issue.Not to mention he saved the boat owner costly fines and the price of removing the Wreckage of the sailboat.The boat owner also most likely got all his personal effects back.This he would not have got if a someone not so honest came across the sailboat. I think the boat owner is a very lucky man in deed to have to pay a small sum of money , probably the same amount as commercial tow company would of charged to assist him.

I understand Gary's comments and agree to a point about the maritime laws, the fact that he got his stuff back without someone taking things, and even the fact that this guy possibly put his life into danger towing his boat to safety, but... Why not be a good Samaritan and take off half or something. Of course he deserves something for salvaging the boat, but he also did so on his own. Why can't people today just do a kind deed for someone anymore without a price tag attached? You do know that what goes around, comes around right? Call the Coast Guard, see if the man tried all he could and if he did so as he said, then give the guy a break! I'd like to think that Michiganders have a heart and would do that for a fellow boater. After all, it's the visitors to our area that keep our beautiful cities alive.