Move Makes Tow Boat Easier to Identify for Boaters

Frye Island Tow, a BoatUS Towing Responder on Maine’s Sebago Lake since 2004, has become a full-fledged TowBoatUS port and changed its name to TowBoatUS Sebago Lake. Owned and operated by USCG licensed Capt. Paul Bourque, the port is located on the east shore of Frye Island. Bourque is also the Captain of the Frye Island Fire Department, a charter captain, and 22-year resident of Frye Island. His wife, Ruth, is also a licensed USCG captain and member of the fire department. TowBoatUS is part of the nation’s largest on-the-water towing service for recreational boaters.

Bourque’s white 24-foot Proline towing response vessel, Luna, now sports a distinctive red hull, white bow stripe, and “TowBoatU.S.” lettering along the side. The twin engine vessel has a full complement of towing equipment, including extra fuel and battery “jump packs” to handle every breakdown from running aground to running out of fuel. Also on board are air bags and a 10,000 GPH pump to raise sunken vessels.

Capt. Paul Bourque said that his decision to go from a “Towing Responder” to a full fledged TowBoatUS port was largely due to an increase in business. “Word has spread around the lake that I can help boaters with dead batteries, groundings or engine troubles. There also seem to be fewer good Samaritans today willing to tow you back to your dock because of concerns over liability, higher gas prices, and time commitments. I think more boaters simply prefer to have professional help they can reliably call on any time of day or night,” he said.

TowBoatUS Sebago Lake is available seven days a week, 24-hours a day during the May 15th to October 15th season, and covers the lake south of the Songo Locks. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatUS Sebago Lake by VHF radio on channel 16; by calling the port directly at mobile 207-310-0414 or office 207-655-3593, or through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869; or as a last resort or in an emergency by dialing 911. You can email the Bourques at towsebagolake@yahoo.com.

Like an 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 can call 800-888-4869 or visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Towing for more information.

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 670,000 members with a wide array of consumer services, including on-the-water towing assistance provided by TowBoatUS and Vessel Assist. These two services combined offer North American boaters the largest network of US, Canadian and Bahamian towing ports with over 270 locations and nearly 500 towing assistance vessels - twice that of any other service provider.