OAHU, HI, July 14, 2009 –- Capt. Michael Parker has opened Vessel Assist Oahu, Hawaii, an on-the-water towing company that recreational boaters and anglers can call to get reliable assistance day or night.  Battery jump starts, fuel drop offs, and tows back to safe harbor are the most common requests.

Located at Kewalo Basin Marina in Honolulu, a 28-foot response boat, Hoikekai, is stationed at the new towing port.  The vessel is fully rigged for marine towing and salvage work, including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, an air compressor, dive gear and a battery “jump pack” to handle dead batteries.  It can be identified by its distinctive red hull, white bow stripes and “Vessel Assist” lettering along its side.

“Seas can get pretty rough,” said Parker, who is US Coast Guard licensed and has worked in the marine industry all of his life. “Out here on the open Pacific Ocean, a simple engine breakdown can get serious quickly. Our goal is to get you back to port safely, 24-hours-a-day.”

Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach Vessel Assist Oahu by calling the company directly at 808-277-0772; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869.

Vessel Assist Oahu joins a nationwide fleet of over 600 towboats which are part of BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services.  BoatUS offers "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $135 a year, which includes BoatUS membership .  Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Visit BoatUS.com/towing for more information.

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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 U.S., Canadian and Bahamian towing ports with over 290 locations and over 600 towing assistance vessels — three times that of any other service provider.