TowBoatUS 24/7 Galveston opens, helping boaters get home 24/7
by BoatUS 27 Aug 2025 16:19 PDT
TowBoatUS Galveston providing on-water assistance to a boater © BoatUS
One of the largest recreational boating communities in the country just got improved on-water help available from the nation's largest towing and assistance service, TowBoatUS.
Capt. Pip and Holly Bauerlein, owners of the nearby TowBoatUS Clear Lake, have opened TowBoatUS Galveston in a move that provides better service by reducing response times to requests for routine assistance from boaters in Galveston Island and Gulf waters. The Bauerlein's two locations join more than 300 TowBoatUS ports across the country offering professional on-water towing and assistance, helping boaters and anglers get home 24/7.
"BoatUS members have been asking for a local port on the island ever since we opened Clear Lake in 2018," said Holly. "So, while we always serviced the area, this new port will greatly shorten response times and improve service. We're pretty excited about it," she added. The company keeps a 24-foot red TowBoatUS response vessel fully rigged for towing and salvage at Galveston Causeway Marina.
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. On-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services are included. 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.
Both the Galveston and Clear Lake ports are ACAPT-certified, which recognizes professionalism and high standards of service, training and equipment for towers. All of the company's captains are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing, the company also offers boat salvage and spill response services.
To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, call TowBoatUS Galveston and Clear Lake directly at 281-830-3209 or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.