LAKE MURRAY, S.C., June 3, 2009 – Just four years after opening TowBoatUS locations on Grand Bahama and in the Abacos, Captain Jess Cooley has opened a third location, TowBoatUS Lake Murray, SC, that gives recreational boaters and anglers a reliable way to summon on-the-water assistance day or night. The new port is located in Chapin, and three local captains will operate the towboats. They are Jimmy Takach, Jim Holland and Randy Saliga, all with extensive knowledge of the lake.

Cooley, a former Navy commander, says battery jump starts, fuel drop offs and tows back to a launch ramp are some common requests from boaters. The lake has many isolated coves and inlets, and Cooley believes that his three captains’ local knowledge is invaluable in locating disabled vessels in need of assistance.

Stationed at the port are two, 20-foot Shamrock response boats loaded with a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, dive gear and battery “jump packs” to handle dead batteries. The vessels can be identified by their distinctive red hulls, white bow stripes and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along their sides.

BoatUS offers an "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plan for freshwater boaters for just $53 a year, which includes BoatUS membership.  Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident.  Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Lake Murray by calling the company directly at 888-604-0119; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869.

Visit BoatUS.com/towing for more information.

The port also offers the BoatUS Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids , which allows boaters to borrow — at no cost — a correctly-sized life jacket for infants, children and teens for the day.

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About BoatUS Towing Services:

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 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 290 locations and over 600 towing assistance vessels — three times that of any other service provider.