Chesapeake Port Goes Full Time

BoatU.S. Towing, the nation’s largest on-the-water towing service for recreational boaters, has announced that Merrick Aviation Marine, a BoatU.S. towing responder on the lower Chesapeake Bay, has now become full TowBoatU.S. port. The port’s new name is TowBoatU.S. Ingram Bay and it will be located at Ingram Bay Marina in Wicomico Church, VA. The port is owned and operated by Capt. Peter Merrick.

Merrick Aviation Marine first became a TowBoatU.S. towing responder last April. The biggest change boaters will notice is that TowBoatU.S. Ingram Bay will now offer 24-hour-a-day service during the boating season from April 1st to December 31st. The port has also added a 28-foot Almar pilot house RIB towboat in addition to its 23-footer. Both are red with highly recognizable “TowBoatU.S.” white letters along their sides.

The vessels carry a full complement of towing and salvage equipment, including extra fuel, pumps, and battery jumper cables to handle every breakdown from running aground to running out of fuel.

The new port continues to provide service from the mouth of the Potomac River to Indian Creek. Capt Merrick said, “With the level of vessel traffic in the area we saw a need to go to a full-time operation and hope to be able to assist more boaters throughout the year.”

Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. Ingram Bay by VHF radio on channel 16; by calling the port directly at 804-435-7650; through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869; or as a last resort or in an emergency by dialing 911. The port is available seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

The national average towing bill last year was about $450. BoatU.S. offers towing plan service – much like a roadside assistance club – for as little as $37 a year. For more information, call 800-888-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing BoatU.S. – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters and provides its 640,000 members with a wide array of consumer services.