TowBoatUS Hopewell, VA Helps Boaters Get Safely Home

HOPEWELL, VA, June 3, 2008 -- Capt. Donald Duck has opened his fifth on-the-water towing port, TowBoatUS Hopewell, VA, that provides tows back to a marina or launch ramp, fuel deliveries, battery jump starts, or ungrounding services for recreational boaters. The USCG-licensed skipper also owns TowBoatUS locations in Portsmouth, Norfolk and Poquoson, Virginia as well as TowBoatUS Coinjock, North Carolina.

TowBoatUS Hopewell is equipped with a 24-foot response boat, Any Time, which is stationed at Jordan Point Marina at the Benjamin Harris Bridge on the James River. It can be identified by its distinctive red hull, white bow stripes and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along its side. Onboard is a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, and a battery “jump pack” to handle dead batteries.

Capt. Duck says that he receives many requests for assistance from recreational boaters who have inadvertently grounded on shoals. “The shipping channel is deep and well marked, but shallows are just outside of it. Many boaters don’t realize how quickly they can get into trouble when they stray,” he adds.

Similar to a roadside auto club, BoatUS offers on-the-water towing plans for saltwater boaters starting at just $37 a year. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Hopewell by calling the company directly at 757-582-7194; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing for more information.

The son of a submariner, Duck began in the marine industry in the 1980’s working for his Father-in-law’s marine business that repaired, sold and salvaged boats. One sideline was an independent on-the-water towing service, hence the name of their first towboat, Part Time, which still remains in Duck’s fleet of eight towboats. In the 1990’s the father and son team became affiliated with TowBoatUS, and when Duck’s father-in-law passed away in 2003, Donald took over the business. Today he is known in the community for his philanthropy as well as his work training local fire and police departments. He also participates in the James River Parade of Lights.

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services, including on-the-water towing assistance provided by TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist Pacific. Combined, these two towing fleets offer North American boaters the largest network of US, Canadian and Bahamian towing ports with over 280 locations and nearly 500 towing assistance vessels - twice that of any other service provider.