TowBoatUS says the number of requests from recreational boaters for on-water assistance in 2021 declined from pandemic-related highs of 2020.
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WAGONER, Okla., June 13, 2022 – Recreational boaters who unexpectedly need on-water help for the routine such as towing, ungrounding, battery jump-starts and fuel drop-offs now have professional 24/7 assistance with the opening of TowBoatUS Fort Gibson Lake. The local business was started last summer by Steven Rhoades when he opened his first location, TowBoatUS Grand Lake. It is the third TowBoatUS location in the Sooner State. Rhoades’ company is part of a nationwide network of more than 300 TowBoatUS locations that responded to more than 80,000 requests from boaters for on water assistance last year.

“Fort Gibson Lake boaters deserve a full-time towing service,” said Rhoades, a former Marine. “Our marina, law enforcement and fire department friends on the lake are supportive of us having a presence here as their time is better spent responding to emergencies.” Rhoades reports that his No. 1 request for on-water help is due to engine breakdowns. He notes that many of his company’s response vessel captains come from the local fire department ranks, however, he advises that boaters should always call 911 or use VHF radio channel 16 to summon emergency assistance.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $99 per year. Included are more than 25 benefits and discounts, a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

The company’s 24-hour towing response vessel, easily recognized by its bright red hull with “TowBoatUS” in white letters on each side, is stationed at Whitehorn Cove Marina. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing services, the company offers boat salvage, environment remediation and dive services.

The fastest way to request assistance from TowBoatUS Fort Gibson Lake and TowBoatUS Grand Lake is to download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain. Additionally, the company can be reached at 918-782-8600, by hailing on VHF channel 16, or by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing or by calling 800-888-4869.

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About TowBoatUS:

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters. We are the Boat Owners Auto Club™ and provide our more than 800,000 members with a wide array of helpful services, including 24-hour on-water towing that gets you safely home when your boat won’t, jump-starts, fuel delivery, and soft ungroundings. The TowBoatUS towing fleet is North America’s largest network of towing ports with more than 300 locations and over 600 red towing assistance vessels, responding to more than 80,000 requests for assistance each year. The BoatUS App makes it easy to summon water and road assistance 24/7 and can speed response times (BoatUS.com/App). For more information go to BoatUS.com/Towing.