When boats break down on the water, TowBoatUS safely brings them home. Now the national 24/7 on-water towing service for recreational boaters has come to the Gem State with the opening of TowBoatUS Coeur d’Alene.
Capt. Preston Rose and his wife, Veronica, opened the port after seeing opportunity. The new TowBoatUS location is one of 15 in the Pacific Northwest and the first located east of the Cascade Range. The service has a national footprint of more than 300 ports and 600 red response vessels.
The young couple is excited to open their first TowBoatUS port in northern Idaho. Preston, who is always on the water surfing or boating, wanted a career change. He found opportunity through a TowBoatUS family member who offered him a start at their TowBoatUS port in southeastern Florida.
“I was always intrigued by their business helping boaters on the water,” says Preston.
He apprenticed for over a year, earning his U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license in the process, and worked in boat salvage during the aftermath of two massive hurricanes.
“It was a great experience, and I’m ready to spread my wings. I’m excited to be on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and I hope to fill the need for professional 24/7 on-water assistance on the lake,” he adds with a smile.
Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers annual on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $109 per year, and offers on-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services day or night. Members receive more than 25 BoatUS benefits including discounts at local fuel docks and transient slips at marinas. Also offered is a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.
Capt. Rose homeports a 25-foot red Boston Whaler response vessel fully equipped for towing and salvage in Post Falls — kept on a trailer to permit rapid response throughout the Spokane River and lake region. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing services, the company offers vessel salvage, environmental remediation and dive services.
To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, call the port directly at 208-298-6468, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.
