•  A signed agreement is not necessarily required for the rescuing vessel to place a salvage lien against the rescued vessel. The salvage company only needs to establish that there was a marine peril, the services were voluntary and the operation was a success. The costs are often a percentage of the boat's post casualty value. In my case, that first number thrown around by the salvage company was $12,000, just to get my boat off of the beach.

•  Do not allow a salvage company to secure a line to your boat unless you agree to enter into a contract. It can be construed you have entered into a contract with the salvage company once you voluntarily agree to accept their services.

• .Reach an understanding with the salvage company before you agree to their services. Have them explain exactly what services they are going to provide as well as the estimated costs. If the weather and conditions do not allow for this communication, then is should be addressed as soon as it is safe. There are standard contracts available and you should obtain a copy to carry with you in the boat to have them sign. By agreeing to a predetermined fee, you will avoid suffering from invoice shock later. Contact your insurance company, and they can provide you with some general guidelines on costs.

....One of the most important lessons learned was that salvage companies can, and will, mislead you in order to have you accept their services. They will try their hardest to take advantage of your unfortunate situation. In my case, when the first salvage company arrived on scene they asked me if I wanted them to attach a line to my boat to prevent my boat from moving down the beach and smashing onto the rocks. They were repeatedly told “No”, and were informed I was in communication with my towing provider. The salvage company was further told my towing company was in the process of responding to provide assistance. Determined to make money from my misfortune, the salvage company told me on multiple occasions that they had spoken to my towing provider and they would not be responding. The salvage company went so far as to tell me that my towing provider does not even provide salvage recovery. Fortunately, my towing provider was repeatedly contacted to confirm the information the salvage company was providing me, and each time I discovered the information was false. This type of dialogue went on between me and the salvage company for several hours or more. Once my towing company arrived on the scene, the salvage company scattered like a cockroach being exposed to light.

Anglers targeting nearshore bass are often rewarded with quality fish.

....As the SWBA series starts there are a few things you can do to minimize stress if an incident like this should happen to you:

• Read and understand the terms of your insurance policy. Be sure that salvage service is included and the coverage is for the agreed value of the vessel. An agreed value policy pays the owner what it takes to purchase a new and comparable boat.

• Research and select a tow/salvage company prior to setting sail. I had Boat US and they did a great job. They were true professionals throughout the process and afterward. Also, ensure your towing/salvage company has experience in handling hazardous materials. Remember your fuel, oil, hydraulic fluid, batteries, cleaners and other similar materials are considered hazardous materials under local, state, and federal laws and, if not managed correctly, could damage the marine environment. Remember you are ultimately responsible for your vessel and any ensuing damage resulting from the incident.

• Develop a pre-launch checklist to ensure you have all of the necessary safety equipment on board, it is in good condition and readily available. Don't store life jackets in the bottom of the console or other compartment.