TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet has a new owner

Capt. Joey Daniels, new owner of TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet, aboard one of his 24-hour on-water assistance company's response vessels. © Scott Croft

When a boat breaks down, runs aground, runs out of fuel, or needs a tow back to the dock near Wanchese, TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet is ready 24 hours a day to help.

The new owner of the on-water towing and assistance service, Capt. Joey Daniels, knows how important it is for both new and seasoned boaters to have help available when they need it, especially on such a dynamic body of water.

As a lifelong Roanoke Island resident, boater, and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, Daniels is familiar with the conditions that boaters face in the area, including strong currents, shifting shoals, and intense weather changes that can make for challenging navigation. Said Daniels, "Our region draws a lot of recreational boaters and fishermen who travel through the Oregon Inlet and the Alligator River. The challenge is the shoals around here shift often, and if you're unfamiliar with the area, it's really easy to run aground."

Much like an auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $159 per year. Boaters without BoatUS towing services face costs that average $750 per towing incident, with some paying into the thousands out of pocket.

From working as a commercial vessel maintenance manager for a local Wanchese fishing company to running a dive-charter business, Daniels has more than 20 years of experience in the marine industry that eventually led him to TowBoatUS. Now, as the new owner of TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet, he says he is fortunate to work alongside the previous owner, Capt. Harry Schiffman, who will remain with the company.

"I enjoy problem-solving and helping people," said Daniels. "With my on-water experience combined with Harry's wealth of towing-company knowledge, I'm looking forward to helping boaters get home safely."

TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet maintains a fleet of three response vessels ready 24/7 to service boaters on the northern Outer Banks. The boats are easily recognizable by their red hulls and TowBoatUS logos emblazoned in bright white letters on their sides, and are rigged for towing, jump-starts, fuel delivery and soft ungroundings. The company also offers salvage and recovery services.

Boaters can reach TowBoatUS Oregon Inlet by hailing on VHF channel 16, by calling the company directly at 252-423-8635, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, or via smartphone using the BoatUS App. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing or by calling 800-888-4869.