Question 1

How do I get towing assistance when I need a tow?

Accepted Answer

The BoatUS National Dispatch Center is open 24-hours, 365 days a year to answer questions and dispatch towing and trailering assistance. The Center can be reached by calling 800-391-4869 or pushing Call for a Tow on your BoatUS App. While on the water you can also hail "TowBoatUS" on VHF channel 16 or via a Coast Guard relay to be connected to a TowBoatUS port in your immediate area.

Question 2

What does BoatUS Towing Provide?

Accepted Answer

Towing service levels provide for towing assistance should your boat breakdown on the water or run soft-aground and require assistance within the local towing company's service Area. In such an event, the tow would be provided for in full with no incurred out-of-pocket expenses owed.* All BoatUS-approved towing companies offer a minimum service area of 25 miles from their homeport. Many offer extended service areas to meet the needs of their local boating community. Your local TowBoatUS Service Area can be found here.
*Restrictions apply. See the BoatUS Towing Service Agreement for more information.

Question 3

If I break down at my dock, does my BoatUS Towing Service still work for me?

Accepted Answer

BoatUS Towing Service is meant for tows resulting from breakdowns at sea or at restricted use docks, or dock-to-dock tows for the purpose of repairs. In addition, in the event of a breakdown at your home dock or mooring, the BoatUS Towing Service will provide for the cost to tow your disabled boat up to 25 miles from its home dock or mooring to a repair facility. BoatUS on-water towing services do not provide for pre-existing conditions or tows from a home dock or mooring in the first 30 days of Membership.

Question 4

If I break down at my dock, does my BoatUS Towing Service still work for me?"

Accepted Answer

BoatUS Towing Service is meant for tows resulting from breakdowns at sea or at restricted use docks. In the event of a breakdown at your home dock or mooring, the Unlimited Service Level will provide for 50% of the cost to tow your boat to a repair facility. The Unlimited Gold Service Level provides for 100% of the cost to tow your disabled boat up to 25 miles from its home dock or mooring to a repair facility. BoatUS Towing Services do not provide for pre-existing conditions or tows from a home dock or mooring in the first 30 days of Membership.

Question 5

How do I know whether I need a Saltwater or Freshwater Unlimted Towing Membership?

Accepted Answer

Freshwater applies to all inland lakes and rivers (other than those in Florida) up to the point where the water becomes "brackish" (water which includes some salt). There is no limit on the number of lakes or rivers you can boat on. If you use your boat on both Fresh and Saltwater, or in Florida, you'll want to select the Saltwater option.

Question 6

Is my BoatUS Towing Service valid wherever I boat?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BoatUS Towing Service follows you and your boat. No matter where your homeport is or where you keep your boat. If you're within a TowBoatUS service area, BoatUS will provide for towing service up to your selected service level. Your local TowBoatUS Unlimited Service Area can be found here.

Question 7

What do I do if there is no TowBoatUS in my area? Can I use another towing company to tow my boat?

Accepted Answer

In areas where TowBoatUS is unavailable, an authorized service provider must be used. If there are none available in your area, contact the BoatUS 24-Hour Dispatch Service Center at 800-391-4869. Once verified by the Dispatch Center that you are boating in an area without a TowBoatUS service provider, BoatUS will provide reimbursement for the first $2,500 of the tow under the Unlimited Service Level and the first $3,000 under the Unlimited Gold Service Level.

Question 8

How do I submit a towing invoice for reimbursement?

Accepted Answer

If you were towed and paid out-of-pocket, you can submit your invoice for review to If you were towed and paid out-of-pocket, you can submit your invoice for review to Invoices@BoatUS.com Restrictions and exclusions to Paid Services apply. Please allow 10 to 15 business days for processing. Restrictions and exclusions to Paid Services apply. Please allow 10 – 15 business days for processing.

Question 9

Is it true that towing companies' bill from the time they leave their dock to the time they return to their dock?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Towing companies begin charging for their service from the moment they get underway. Even after you are already safe and sound in your slip, the clock doesn't stop until the tow boat has returned to its home dock. Remember to take that into consideration when selecting your towing service level, as the average cost of a tow is $750 per incident.

Question 10

What is the difference between towing and salvage? What happens if my boat sinks?

Accepted Answer

BoatUS establishes Towing-Ungrounding as any operation not involving immediate peril to the boat or to a legally protected marine environment and requiring no special equipment. Salvage includes any operation involving immediate peril to the boat, the marine environment or the use of special salvage equipment (pumps, airbags, dredging equipment, cranes, etc.). The BoatUS Towing Service does not provide for salvage operations such as a sinking or hard grounding. Salvage operations, including towing from the salvage site, would be paid for by a yacht or boat insurance policy, such as BoatUS Marine Insurance.

Question 11

If a friend or family member borrows my boat and it breaks down, can they use my Membership?"

Accepted Answer

Yes. A friend or family member using your boat would be provided for up to your towing service level. The towboat captain would need to verify that you are the owner of the vessel and that your Membership and towing level are current.

Question 12

Does BoatUS Towing Service apply if I'm a guest on someone else's boat?

Accepted Answer

If the owner of the boat is present, regardless of who is at the helm, the owner would be responsible for having the appropriate towing service, not the guest BoatUS Member on board. BoatUS towing provides for any instance the Member is considered the Captain and responsible for the care and control of the boat.

Question 13

Would my BoatUS Towing Service pay to have my boat moved or towed in preparation for an upcoming storm?

Accepted Answer

No, a BoatUS Membership does not provide for towing in advance of a storm. However, your local TowBoatUS can be hired separately to tow your boat for storm preparation. TowBoatUS will discontinue operations when they deem conditions to be unsafe. Also, some companies may require someone to be present for the tow. All BoatUS Marine Insurance Policies feature named storm haul-out coverage.

Question 14

During off-season in the North, is TowBoatUS still available?"

Accepted Answer

TowBoatUS is on call 24/7 during normal boating seasons. In some areas in the Northern US, the towers may pull their boats for the off-season due to weather conditions. Our 24-Hour Dispatch Center is available year-round by calling 800-391-4869 or by pushing call for a tow on the BoatUS App.The Dispatch Center will be able to check on the status of the companies in your area.

Question 15

How can I hail TowBoatUS from my boat for a free VHF radio check?

Accepted Answer

You can use the below sample radio protocol, approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, to hail TowBoatUS countrywide. First Tune to VHF Channel 16.
Boater Hails: “TowBoatUS - TowBoatUS - TowBoatUS - This is the vessel Carpe Diem”
TowBoatUS: “Vessel Carpe Diem, this is TowBoatUS If it’s not an emergency, please switch and answer on Channel XX”
Boater: “Roger. Switching to Channel XX”
TowBoatUS on Channel XX: “Vessel Carpe Diem, this is TowBoatUS How can we help you today?”
Boater: “I am looking for a VHF radio check, hailing from Potomac River Red Marker 56.”
TowBoatUS: “Roger Captain. I hear you (loud, clear, scratchy, static, buzzing, muffled, windy, distant, echoing) from my Neabsco Creek Antenna.”
Boater: “Thank you Captain. Much Appreciated (or Let me try again in a bit to see if I can fix the problem).”
TowBoatUS: “Roger Carpe Diem. I’ll be standing by on Channel XX and 16 if you need any help. Have a great day. TowBoatUS Out.”
If no answer on 16, you can try channels 7, 9, 68, 71 or 79 or call TowBoatUS by phone and they'll hail you on VHF if they didn't hear the original call.

Stuck at Sea? Have Questions? Call our 24 hour dispatch: 800-391-4869 | For New Member Specials Call Our Office: 727-347-3532 Join Now

frequently asked questions

How do I get towing assistance when I need a tow?

What does BoatUS Towing Provide?

If I break down at my dock, does my BoatUS Towing Service still work for me?

If I break down at my dock, does my BoatUS Towing Service still work for me?"

How do I know whether I need a Saltwater or Freshwater Unlimted Towing Membership?

Is my BoatUS Towing Service valid wherever I boat?

What do I do if there is no TowBoatUS in my area? Can I use another towing company to tow my boat?

How do I submit a towing invoice for reimbursement?

Is it true that towing companies' bill from the time they leave their dock to the time they return to their dock?

What is the difference between towing and salvage? What happens if my boat sinks?

If a friend or family member borrows my boat and it breaks down, can they use my Membership?"

Does BoatUS Towing Service apply if I'm a guest on someone else's boat?

Would my BoatUS Towing Service pay to have my boat moved or towed in preparation for an upcoming storm?

During off-season in the North, is TowBoatUS still available?"

How can I hail TowBoatUS from my boat for a free VHF radio check?

membership

towing

What benefits do BoatUS Members receive?

When do my Membership benefits and services start? How long does a Membership last?

Do you offer Auto Bill Pay? How do I update my info once I've signed up for Auto Bill Pay?

When will I receive my BoatUS Membership card? Can I print a copy?

What is a BoatUS eMember?

Can I have more than one name on my BoatUS Membership?

Do I need a different Membership for each boat or PWC I own?

I own a boat with several people; can we have a BoatUS Membership in the boat's name?

If I sell my boat and/or trailer can I transfer my Membership and Towing Services to the new owner?

Where are my West Advantage Gold Rewards Certificates? When will they be delivered? How many have I earned?

towing

membership