James Miller, owner of a local and well-known commercial marine transportation and construction company, Miller Marine Services, has expanded into offering on-the-water towing services for recreational boaters with the opening of TowBoatUS Port Jefferson, NY. Located at Miller’s company dock about one-eighth of a mile north of the Port Jefferson boat ramp, the new towing port is now part of the nation’s largest on-the-water towing service for recreational boaters, TowBoatUS.

Currently residing in Mattituck with his wife Debbie, Miller is a native of the Port Jefferson area and started in the marine industry 30-years ago as a commercial fisherman. Throughout the years he’s been active in the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. He has sponsored village and community events and supported area educational organizations such as the Long Island Sea Port and Eco Center.

Miller has equipped TowBoatUS Port Jefferson two response vessels: Debbie, a 28-foot RIB with diesel engine and Miller Brothers, an outboard-powered, 24-foot fast response vessel. Both can be identified by their distinctive red hulls with white bow stripes and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along their sides. Onboard each is a full complement of towing and salvage equipment including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps, and battery “jump packs” to handle every breakdown from running out of fuel to running aground.

A large harbor on Long Island’s north shore, Port Jefferson is home to a good-sized boating community – there are four mooring fields – and is also known as a safe harbor for transients passing through or visiting local points of interest for the weekend.

“Most of the reasons why recreational boaters call us for help are for the usual problems – out of fuel, dead batteries and other minor engine troubles,” said Miller. Fast-moving squalls can also present a challenge to towboat captains as six-foot swells can quickly build. “You don’t want to get caught out on the Sound with broken down vessel as the thunder clouds start to roll in. We pride ourselves in being fast, professional and courteous,” added Miller.

Similar to a roadside auto club, BoatUS 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 in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Port Jefferson by calling the company directly at 631-928-1390; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing for more information.

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services, including on-the-water towing assistance provided by TowBoatU.S. 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 280 locations and nearly 500 towing assistance vessels - twice that of any other service provider.