Bradshaw Towing Responds.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Bradshaw Towing Posted the below on Facebook.  This is in response to another Facebook post that we posted here on the blog Wednesday.  (See original Facebook post)



Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Chris Bailey. Mr. Bailey worked the water and was proud of his efforts as a Chesapeake Bay Waterman. His loss is one nobody would ever seek.

It has come to my attention that our company and the Maryland State Police are being blamed for his loss. It is being said that I purposely price-gouged the young man and made threats toward him. Anyone who has known me for my fifty-four years on this earth, thirty-seven years in the repair and towing business, and nearly fifteen years as a business owner know this would never be true. No words I write can lessen this loss, but I do feel I must explain what occurred that day.

On Saturday the 18th of May, Mr. Bailey contacted my company to assist in getting his boat, which had fallen from his trailer into a major intersection, out of the roadway and back onto his trailer. I explained that several options existed, including use of a rollback to pull the off the road surface- we would then get out of the road and place it back on the trailer. Mr. Bailey declined that, and preferred use of a rotating wrecker to prevent any further damage to the boat. We explained that, for recoveries, we typically bill $1,500/Hour for that truck’s services. This charge is reflective of the piece of equipment’s price, its extremely high operating expenses, and the experience required of its operator. Mr. Bailey said he wanted that truck dispatched and would determine how to make payment. Police had made clear the intersection could not remain blocked.

The truck arrived on scene with operator and a second technician. The truck was on scene for approximately two hours. Following the recovery and placement of the boat on the trailer, Mr. Bailey came to our physical location and made payment. We charged a rate one-half of normal charges in an effort to be fair to the young man. We did this out of compassion with knowledge he would be forced to pay out of pocket.

He at no times made any complaint as to service or price. Indeed, when I attempted to further explain the breakdown of charges, he said he was happy with everything. He made credit card payment and continued on to his destination.

We regularly post photos and information related to services rendered, as an example of the abilities of our equipment and crews. We did not laugh at, nor did we fault Mr. Bailey. After everything had occurred, we were under the impression we had provided an appreciated service to the young man.

Again, my condolences to Mr. Bailey’s family and friends. His loss is a terrible one.