TowBoatU.S., the nation's largest on-the-water towing service for recreational boaters, has come to Connecticut 's Thames River and Niantic Bay with the opening of TowBoatU.S. New London located in Pine Island Bay. The new port is the second for Capt. Don Rich, who also operates TowBoatU.S. Mystic, CT, which covers Block Island Sound, the eastern end of Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound and Montauk Point, NY.

Capt. Rich, a former Connecticut State Police officer, has equipped the port with a new 27-foot Almar rigid hull inflatable aluminum commercial towing vessel that can be identified by its distinctive red hull and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along the side. The vessel has 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.

Capt. Rich said one reason for opening the new port was the increased vessel traffic – especially large yachts – cruising to the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos. “These vessels are no different from your average cruising boat or runabout. They have fuel problems or maintenance issues that lead to breakdowns. Unfamiliarity of the river by charter captains sometimes leads to groundings. We want to be there to help get everyone safely on their way,” he said.

Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. New London 24-hours a day, seven days a week by VHF radio on channel 16; by calling the company directly at 860-536-3128; 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 650,000 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 www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.