Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

TowBoatUS on-water assistance for recreational boaters expands to New Bern

by BoatUS 28 Aug 2024 13:24 PDT

Capt. John Deaton joined his family's Oriental-based business in 1981 servicing and maintaining recreational vessels. He then later opened TowBoatUS Oriental in 1986. Now Deaton sees opportunity upriver on the Neuse with the opening of TowBoatUS New Bern, his second TowBoatUS port. The two locations provide professional on-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop services, and are part of a nationwide network of more than 300 ports and 600 red towing response vessels. The New Bern port, with a 25-foot red response vessel ready to respond day or night, is located at Duck Creek Marina in Bridgeton.

"There's more boating activity - skiing, tubing, fishing - in New Bern," said Deaton. "I see opportunity. It's the right move to better serve our BoatUS members and customers," said Deaton, adding that the new full-time TowBoatUS presence in New Bern will reduce response times to boaters in the region seeking routine on-water assistance. The service also saves boaters from the hassle and liability of calling a friend to come out and tow them home day or night, or flag down a passing vessel for help.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $175 per year. Membership comes with more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits, including discounts at local fuel docks and transient slips at marinas. Also included are a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

All the company's captains are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing, the company also offers boat salvage, including post-storm recovery and environmental remediation services.

To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS New Bern directly at 252-249-6179, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.

Related Articles

Capt. Doug & Melanie open TowBoatUS Rocky Point
Capt. Doug & Melanie Nelson open TowBoatUS Rocky Point, Minnesota Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, Lake of the Woods is a vast expanse of pristine waters more than 70 miles wide with an incredible 65,000 miles of shoreline and nearly 15,000 islands. Posted on 12 Jun
Kathy Sinnett honored with Women's Sailing Award
Continuing the tradition in epitomizing the leadership to promote chances for women Since 1999, the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award has recognized extraordinary women who have inspired, educated and enriched the lives of women through sailing. Posted on 11 Jun
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Capt. Anthony new owner of TowBoatUS Santa Cruz
Capt. Anthony Capriccio is the new owner of the company that provides 24/7 on-water towing A former employee and captain for TowBoatUS Santa Cruz, an on-water towing and assistance company for boaters, has stepped up into the ownership role at the company. Posted on 25 May
Douglass Marine expands on East End
With the opening of TowBoatUS Orient, New York A long-standing East End family business providing boat service, repair and storage on the tip of Long Island's North Fork is growing. Posted on 16 May
TowBoatUS Pittsburgh ready to assist boaters
New owners for TowBoatUS Lake Anna, VA The 24/7 on-water towing and assistance service for recreational boaters with ties to nationwide fleet of more than 600 towboats has come to Pittsburgh's Three Rivers. Posted on 8 May
TowBoatUS adds port in the Big Apple
Miller's launch opens its second TowBoatUS on-water towing port on Staten Island Miller's Launch, a commercial marine service provider on Staten Island's northeastern Stapleton waterfront has opened it's second on-water towing and assistance port for recreational boaters, TowBoatUS Staten Island. Posted on 3 May
Three TowBoatUS Ports under new ownership
Assisting boaters from Sandusky River to Fairport, Ohio On Lake Erie's West/Central Basin, TowBoatUS Sandusky owners Capts. Jimmer Kennedy, D.J. Huntley and Jason Majoy are new owners of TowBoatUS locations in Vermillion, Lorain, and Cleveland. Posted on 1 May
National Women's Sailing Association Conference
“Knowledge – Skills – Fun” while celebrating NWSA's 35th anniversary in St. Petersburg, Fl. The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) is expanding its 2025 National Women's Sailing Association Conference, presented by American Sailing, to three days. Posted on 18 Mar
‘Turning the Tide Online' Virtual Summit
New solutions for recycling boats, derelict fishing gear, plastics and more BoatUS Foundation's "Turning the Tide Online" summit highlighted three days of educational resources, enlightening panels and keynote addresses. Posted on 10 Mar
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 Footer