An image of Carson Mullen, Owner-Operator of TowBoatUS Steinhatchee

STEINHATCHEE, FL – May 14, 2026 – TowBoatUS, North America’s largest network of towing ports, announced today that U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain Carson Mullen has taken the helm of TowBoatUS Steinhatchee. 

With more than 152,000 BoatUS members across Florida, access to dependable on-water assistance remains an important resource for the state’s boating community. TowBoatUS Steinhatchee serves Florida’s Big Bend coastline from Cedar Key to the Econfina River, a service area extending 25 miles offshore and known for its remote access points. 

Mullen brings several years of hands-on experience with TowBoatUS, having served as a captain in multiple locations before purchasing the Steinhatchee port. With peak boating season underway along Florida’s Gulf Coast, this transition ensures continuity of service for the region’s tight-knit coastal boating community while positioning the port for future growth.  

A lifelong boater originally from Lake Wylie, South Carolina, Mullen grew up on the water in a family passionate about boating and water sports. After being introduced to the process of becoming a licensed captain, he quickly acted on the opportunity to build a career, eventually serving as a captain at TowBoatUS Lake Wylie before relocating to Southwest Florida. 

“Boating has always been a part of my life, and being able to turn that into a career and a business is incredibly rewarding,” said Mullen, owner and operator of TowBoatUS Steinhatchee. “This is a small, close-knit boating community, and my goal is to build on the strong foundation already here while continuing to provide dependable, professional service. When Gulf Coast boaters need help, I want them to know they can count on me to get them home safely.” 

TowBoatUS Steinhatchee is based at Sunset Place Marina, located at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, where it operates a 25-foot Boston Whaler Frontier response vessel. Operated solely by Mullen, the service provides towing, fuel delivery, battery jump-starts, and assistance for boats that run aground, serving as a critical first call for recreational boaters when unexpected issues arise on the water. 

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water towing memberships for $215/year for saltwater. In addition to a BoatUS Towing Membership, members also receive more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.   

To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS Steinhatchee directly at (352) 550-3009, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16. 

About TowBoatUS 

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation's leading advocacy, services and safety group for recreational boaters. We provide more than 740,000 members with a wide array of helpful services, including 24-hour on-water towing that gets boaters safely home when their boat won’t, as well as jump-starts, fuel delivery, and soft ungroundings. The TowBoatUS towing fleet is North America’s largest network of towing ports with more than 330 locations and over 630 red towboats, responding to more than 110,000 requests for assistance each year. To learn more about becoming a BoatUS member, visit BoatUS.com/Towing and to find a TowBoatUS location closest to you, visit BoatUS.com/ServiceLocator.