NICKAJACK LAKE, Tenn., June 30, 2010 – Local on-the-water towboat company owner Capt. Shane O’Neal has opened a second location in Tennessee, TowBoatUS Nickajack Lake. O’Neal opened his first port, TowBoatUS Chickamauga Lake, just last year. Recreational boaters and anglers can call the company day or night to get reliable assistance and tows back to a launch ramp or marina. Battery jump-starts, fuel drop-offs, and towing services are some common requests for help. 

Located at Hales Bar Marina at mile marker 431.1L, TowBoatUS Nickajack Lake’s service area runs 50 miles north and south of the marker. Stationed at the port is a 22-foot Continental response vessel fully rigged for marine towing and salvage work, including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, and a battery “jump pack” to handle dead batteries. The vessel can be identified by its distinctive red hull, white bow stripes and “TowBoatUS” lettering along its sides.

A US Coast Guard-licensed captain, O’Neal grew up in the Chattanooga area and is a former firefighter. Asked how he got into the recreational towboat business he said, “Three years ago I bought a 30-foot cruiser, and realized my buddies weren’t going to come get me if I were to get stranded on the river. So I started my own business.” Today his two ports are a full-time, year-round operation. O’Neal and his towing captains are also annual participants in the lake’s Holiday Lights Cruise.

Boaters often contact him for assistance when they have engine troubles, but the biggest mishap is running over hidden logs and trees limbs. “Spring rains flood the creeks that enter the lake. The problem is you can’t always see the logs submerged just below the surface. Call us and we can get you home or to a repair facility in a hurry,” said O’Neal.

TowBoatUS Nickajack Lake 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 half-million members with government representation, programs and money saving services.

Like an auto club, BoatUS offers "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans for freshwater boaters for just $58 a year, which includes a choice of BoatUS or BoatUS Angler membership, which is great for anglers. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident. 

Boaters or anglers in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Nickajack Lake by calling the company directly at 423-326-9768; 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.

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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 over half a million 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 and Canadian towing ports with over 290 locations and over 600 towing assistance vessels — more than double that of any other service provider.