The Newest On-the-Water Assistance Port for Capt. Kevin Freestone

TowBoatU.S., the nation's largest on-the-water towing service for recreational boaters, has added a location in the Florida Keys with the opening of TowBoatU.S. Cudjoe Key. Located at Cudjoe Key Marina at mile marker #22, the new port is the second for Capt. Kevin Freestone, who also operates TowBoatU.S. Big Pine Key, FL. Both ports provide assistance to recreational boaters in the lower Key region and bring the total number of TowBoatU.S. ports in the Keys to nine.

Capt. Freestone rotates three on-the-water response vessels between the ports that include a 28-foot Bertram, 24-foot Proline and 20-foot Shamrock which can be identified by their distinctive red hulls, white bow stripes and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along their sides. They also have a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, pumps, airbags and battery “jump packs” to handle every breakdown from running out of fuel to running aground.

Commenting on why boaters call for on-the-water assistance, Capt. Freestone said the shallow waters of the Keys frequently lead to groundings. The other most common call for assistance is for fuel drop offs. “Never trust your fuel gauge,” said Freestone. “They are notoriously inaccurate,” he added.

Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. Cudjoe Key or TowBoatU.S. Big Pine Key 24-hours a day, seven days a week by VHF radio on channel 16; by calling the company directly at 305-872-3092; or through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869.

Like an auto club, BoatU.S. offers on-the-water assistance plans starting at around $37 a year. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. Boaters can call 800-888-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing for more information.

BoatU.S. – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 660,000 members with a wide array of consumer services including a group-rate marine insurance program that insures nearly a quarter million boats; the largest fleet of more than 500 towing assistance vessels; discounts on fuel, slips, and repairs at over 825 Cooperating Marinas; boat financing; and a subscription to BoatU.S. Magazine , the most widely read boating publication in the U.S. For membership information visit http://www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.