You NEED A Towing Membership!

The Essential Guide to Towing Memberships for Boaters

Boating can be incredibly enjoyable and offers a unique sense of freedom on the water. However, like any recreational activity, it comes with its own set of risks and potential complications, especially when it comes to unforeseen mechanical failures, running aground, or fuel shortages. Towing memberships are crucial for boaters, providing invaluable peace of mind. In this article, we’ll delve into the important aspects of towing memberships, including its benefits, key providers, coverage details, and why it’s essential, particularly for those navigating routes like the Great Loop.

The Benefits of Towing Memberships

Comprehensive Protection: A towing membership covers the cost of towing if your boat becomes disabled. This saves you from substantial out-of-pocket expenses. For example, suppose your engine fails unexpectedly while you’re miles offshore. In that case, towing membership allows you to call for a tow without worrying about the potential cost, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the distance.

Priority Service: Membership with towing providers ensures priority service in case of emergency. This can be crucial during peak boating months when towing companies are busiest. Imagine being stuck in a crowded bay during a holiday weekend. A towing membership ensures that your call for help will be prioritized over non-members.

Licensed and Insured Operators: Using one of the major towing membership providers, you can be sure that the operator is a US Coast Guard Licensed Towing Captain and has received specialized training in towing and recovery operations. Also, the provider will be insured in case of damage or injury while providing service.

Leading Providers: TowBoatUS and Sea Tow

In the United States, TowBoatUS and Sea Tow are the top providers of on-water towing services, offering extensive coverage and competitive pricing tailored to diverse boating communities.

Boat US (TowBoat US)

Features and Pricing: BoatUS offers Unlimited Freshwater and Saltwater plans, with prices generally starting at around $100 to $150 per year. Their services include towing, fuel delivery, and jump starts. If a boater is stranded with a dead battery miles away from the dock, they can simply call TowBoatUS for a quick jump-start, saving both time and inconvenience.

Business Model: BoatUS operators are independent towing operators that have joined the BoatUS network. As a result, there may be multiple BoatUS providers in any given area. BoatUS providers are typically paid on a per-service basis.

Pros and Cons: Known for its extensive network, TowBoatUS has numerous locations and a large service fleet. However, in some areas, especially remote ones, response times may be slower compared to Sea Tow. If you’re boating in a popular area such as the Chesapeake Bay, TowBoatUS can provide quick responses due to its dense network coverage.

Coverage Areas: Their service covers the continental U.S. and some coastal waters but does not extend to Canada. This means that when cruising in Canada, boaters will need to find alternative options. BoatUS does have coverage in some parts of The Bahamas. For example, if you’re planning a trip from the U.S. side of the Great Lakes to Canadian waters, you should be aware of potential gaps in coverage.

Sea Tow

Features and Pricing: Sea Tow offers round-the-clock towing services, fuel drops, and more, with annual plans starting at approximately $179. Sea Tow prides itself on local franchise-owner expertise and customer service. Imagine needing fuel delivery during a fishing trip that has gone longer than expected; Sea Tow’s network can promptly assist, allowing you to continue your adventure.

Business Model: Sea Tow has franchises for exclusive areas of operation, so a single provider covers a particular region. Sea Tow providers receive income from their clients’ recurring membership fees, not based on the services provided.

Pros and Cons: Sea Tow typically offers faster response times in certain regions because of its local boat captain model. However, their pricing might be slightly higher in specific areas than that of TowBoatUS.

Coverage Areas: Sea Tow covers a wide range of locations in the U.S., particularly along the coastlines, but like TowBoatUS, it does not extend into Canadian waters.

Plan Inclusions and Exclusions

Both providers offer similar basic towing services, but specifics such as the types of coverage for trailer assistance or fuel delivery can vary. For example, trailer coverage (repairs to your trailer if hauling your boat) is essential if your trailer breaks. Trailer coverage is an add-on coverage with both plans.

Both providers provide dock-to-dock towing service, where they will move your boat between marinas. This can be handy if you limp into a marina and need to get your boat moved to a repair facility. Coverage varies based on your plan level and the towing provider.

These plans do not include salvage operations, which are more complex and extensive than simple towing. Salvage may be needed in serious stranding situations, such as a boat taking on water after hitting rocks, or if your boat is heavily grounded or has sunk and needs multiple tow boats or specialized equipment like cranes and barges. Salvage is not included in towing memberships. This is when your vessel insurance policy kicks in.

Extra Benefits

Depending on the company, you will receive additional benefits such as free MMSI registration, access to training resources, loaner life jackets, and discounts at car rental and retail stores.

Local Navigation Knowledge

You can call either company by phone or radio and request “local knowledge” in unfamiliar waters. Tow operators know where people run aground and where the deep water is! If you are unsure, call them by VHF radio or on the phone, and they will be glad to assist you. As a member, they would rather help you avoid an issue than have to tow you!

Out-of-Area Towing Coverage

BoatUS and SeaTow will partially reimburse you for towing costs if you break down in an area where they don’t have direct coverage. This includes Canada and The Bahamas. The amount depends on your membership level. They will cover a portion of the tow cost up to a certain limit, typically between $2,500 and $5,000. It is important to contact SeaTow or BoatUS BEFORE you contract for towing to ensure they will reimburse you for your towing bill. They may have reciprocal arrangements with towing providers and can arrange towing for you.

Coverage for Rentals, Loaners and Charters

Both companies will cover you if you borrow someone else’s boat, rent, or charter a boat as long as the primary member is onboard. If you loan your boat to someone else, any boat you own is covered even if you are not onboard. There are some restrictions, especially if you rent your boat commercially, so be sure to read your membership agreement for full details.

Towing vs. Salvage. Understand the Difference!

Understanding basic towing services and salvage or recovery operations is crucial when considering towing memberships for boaters. Both are vital services provided by towing companies, but they differ significantly in terms of coverage, the situations addressed, and the costs involved.

Basic Towing Services

Situations Covered: Basic towing services typically cover situations where a boat is not in immediate danger but needs assistance to return to shore. Common scenarios include mechanical failure, running out of fuel, a dead battery, or getting stuck in bad weather without the ability to navigate back to port.

Coverage and Costs: When you have a towing membership with providers like TowBoatUS or Sea Tow, these basic services are generally included in the plan with no additional costs. For instance, if your boat stalls several miles offshore due to mechanical failure, your membership will cover the cost of towing your vessel back to the marina.

Service Limitations: Basic towing services provide assistance in non-emergency situations. They ensure that members receive help when their boat can’t operate under its own power but the boat is still afloat and functional aside from the identified issue.

Salvage Operations

Situations Covered: Salvage refers to recovering a vessel that is in distress or has already suffered damage. This could involve situations such as the vessel taking on water, being grounded and at risk of incurring damage from tides or weather conditions, or any immediate danger to the vessel requiring emergency response to prevent loss or further damage.

Coverage and Costs: Unlike basic towing services, salvage operations are not typically covered under standard towing membership plans. These services are considered more complex and high-risk and, therefore, can be expensive. In a salvage situation, the costs can include all aspects of preventive measures and retrieval, often calculated as a percentage of the boat’s value or based on the value of the cargo and vessel saved.

Legal Implications: In a salvage operation, the provider might place a lien on the vessel for the costs incurred, making it essential for boaters to understand their vessel insurance policies and the scope of coverage beforehand. Having separate salvage insurance or specific clauses in your vessel insurance policy can mitigate these costs.

Key Differences

1. Nature of the Situation: Basic towing is for non-emergency, operational failings. Salvage is reserved for emergencies or potential loss.
2. Cost Structure: Basic towing is often included in providers’ annual towing service fees, while salvage usually incurs substantial additional costs.
3. Legal and Financial Liability: Salvage claims can involve complex legal processes, including salvage rights and claims, whereas towing generally does not involve such complexities.

Understanding these services’ differences helps boaters make informed decisions when selecting a towing membership and safeguarding their vessels against common operational issues and emergencies. Being prepared with appropriate vessel insurance plans and coverage ensures that boaters can focus more on enjoying their time on the water and less on potential emergencies.

A Real World Example

Brenda and I were headed north on the ICW near Jacksonville Beach, FL. There were dredging operations going on, and we moved over in the channel to clear the dredges and let some southbound traffic pass. We got too close to the undregged area and grounded on a shoal. In grounding, we damaged the seal on one of our rudder posts, which resulted in about 75 gallons a minute of water entering the boat—much more than our bilge pumps could handle. We were going down!

We made it into a nearby marina that had an electric pump to help us deal with some of the incoming water. At that point, we didn’t know where the water was coming from and were just keeping pace with the flow. We called SeaTow (the closest of the two services) and explained that we were taking on water at a rapid rate. SeaTow told us that this was salvage and not a covered member service. While we would get a priority response because we were members, they would need to pre-authorize our credit card for $10,000 to cover “salvage.” We had no choice and agreed. Within 30 minutes, a SeaTow boat arrived with pumps, airbags to provide flotation, and two crew who did an excellent job stabilizing the boat, pumping out enough water to find the leak, and doing a quick patch job to stem the flow. Ultimately, they did us a favor and only charged us a callout fee, time, and materials. It cost us $2,300 (plus a generous tip), but at least it wasn’t $10,000 or more, and the boat didn’t sink! It is important to understand the difference and be prepared if your situation is “salvage,” not “towing.”

Why Towing Membership is Crucial for Cruisers

For the average boater, the relatively low cost of these annual plans can be a financial lifesaver compared to towing fees, which can easily escalate into the thousands. For cruisers navigating longer routes like the Great Loop, it’s not a matter of if but when you will face issues such as running mechanical issues, bad fuel, encountering unexpected shoals, or hitting a rock or log!

Vessel Insurance Has Limited Towing Coverage

The towing coverage on your vessel insurance policy may not cover salvage operations, which are usually more expensive. Additionally, towing coverage may be limited by distance, with the service only covering towing up to a certain number of miles from a port or towing company base. Some policies may also cap the total amount covered for towing services per incident or annually. Moreover, coverage areas can be restricted and may not extend beyond certain geographical locations, such as international waters or in Canada and The Bahamas. It is important for boaters to thoroughly review their vessel policies to understand these limitations and consider additional coverage if needed.

We know of a boater who hit a rock in Georgian Bay in Canada. They had to be towed 75 miles to the nearest repair facility. SeaTow and BoatUS don’t provide service in Canada, and the local towing company charged $15,000 for the tow. Their vessel insurance policy had a $5,000 per incident cap for towing. Because they spoke with their insurance company before incurring the fee, they negotiated with them, and due to extenuating circumstances, the insurance company covered the towing charge. When relying on your vessel insurance policy, involving them as soon as possible is important.

Also, if you make a claim on your vessel insurance policy, your renewal rates may well be affected.

The Coast Guard Is For Rescue, Not Towing

If you listen to your VHF radio, you will hear boaters calling the Coast Guard for assistance. Once the Coast Guard determines that there is no immediate risk of loss of life, the next question they ask is, “Do you have a towing membership?” The Coast Guard is a rescue organization, not a towing company. If you are not on fire or going down in a storm, the Coast Guard will most likely connect you with a towing operator. Typically, this will be TowBoatUS, SeaTow, or a local independent towing operator. Only in extreme conditions will the Coast Guard tow your boat. They may come and rescue you from your boat, but your boat will be left adrift in many circumstances.

Having an organized towing plan membership reduces stress and protects your investment. Attempting to handle groundings without professional help can cause significant damage to propellers and engines, sometimes more costly than preventative towing expenses.

In the event of accidentally running aground on an uncharted shoal, attempting to free the boat without professional help could worsen the damage, leading to costly repairs. Instead, it’s better to wait and call a towing service for a safe resolution with minimal damage. Having a TowBoatUS or SeaTow membership makes it much more likely that you will pick up the phone and call them for assistance.

Beware of Towing Pirates!

SeaTow and TowBoatUS are nationally recognized organizations with clear policies and pricing structures. Independent tow operators are not necessarily as reputable. It is not unheard of that a simple tow from a mechanical failure or grounding can be escalated to a “salvage” operation by unscrupulous tow operators. Before accepting service from ANY tow operator, make sure that you understand the fees and whether they are considering the service towing or salvage. With independent operators, as difficult as it may be when you are stuck, ensure you document the service agreement even if you must pull out your phone and video record the tow boat operator telling you the charges. It can mean the difference between a $2,000 and $20,000 bill! Once you accept a line from a tow operator, they have a lien on your boat until the bill is settled. Your vessel insurance may not cover the cost if they disagree that salvage was necessary, so you may be on the hook in the end.

Engaging unaffiliated towing services can lead to unexpected salvage claims, as some companies might place expensive liens on boats to secure payment. This underscores the importance of clearly understanding the terms of service before they assist you. Negotiating these terms can be difficult in high-pressure scenarios, further emphasizing the value of having a pre-arranged plan with a reputed provider.

Be Careful Of Good Samaritans

Accepting assistance from another boater who is not a licensed tow operator or offering assistance yourself can lead to expensive claims. If a boater who is not a licensed tow operator attempts to tow a boat and damages their boat or the boat they are assisting, their vessel insurance policy may not cover the claim. The US Coast Guard licenses tow operators, and they receive special training. Towing a boat on your own puts you at risk for damage and injury liability unless the situation is life-threatening.

This can be as simple as ripping off a cleat or having a line snap and injuring someone. In more severe scenarios, you can damage rudders, propellers, hulls, or even blow an engine! Remember, “No good deed goes unpunished!”

Towing Plans Are One Of Your Best Accessories!

Towing membership is not just a wise investment; it’s an essential part of a responsible boater’s toolkit. These plans offer financial and operational peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy boating with the reassurance that help is just a call away. Given the often unexpectedly high towing costs, having a reliable plan can protect you from financial strain and repair burdens, ensuring that your boating adventures remain smooth sailing.

We have memberships in both SeaTow and BoatUS to ensure we can get assistance whenever and wherever we need it.

Which tow service(s) do you subscribe to? Have you ever had to call them?
Let us know in the comments below!

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