TowBoatUS on-water assistance for recreational boaters expands to New Bern
by BoatUS 28 Aug 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.