TowBoatUS comes to Lake Okeechobee, Florida
by Scott Croft 24 Jul 2018 13:38 BST
Capt. Michael Ammons, new owner of TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee, aboard one of his 24-hour on-water assistance company's response vessels © Scott Croft
More than 15 years ago, Captain Michael Ammons' professional career on the water began when he became the owner of three TowBoatUS locations, which offer 24-hour on-water towing and assistance for recreational boaters. After selling the businesses 10 years ago, he's found his way back to the company, opening TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee earlier this year.
"TowBoatUS has always been a cut above the rest, and the boats are easily recognized on the water," said Ammons. "When I came back to Lake Okeechobee after working a few years abroad, I knew there wasn't anyone out here with the company, so I applied and got back into the business."
Much like an auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for boaters and anglers for just $149 per year. Boaters without BoatUS towing services face costs that average $750 per towing incident, with some paying into the thousands out of pocket.
From his years of experience boating in Florida waters, Ammons knows the types of problems boaters can face, which is why his company offers an extended service area. Not only does the company service Lake Okeechobee in its entirety, but it also provides service to transient boaters passing through the Okeechobee Waterway on their way to fish the east or west coasts of the Sunshine State.
With the lake attracting bass fishermen, saltwater sport fishermen passing through to the coasts and other area boaters, Ammons is confident he'll stay busy year-round helping boaters get home safely, no matter what boating activity they're partaking in. "It's a difficult area, and there are tons of locks and restrictions around the lake," he explained. "It's a really chopped up waterway, and it creates a lot of issues for boaters, including hazardous water fluctuations, rocky areas, and more."
TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee operates a 22-foot Lund Alaskan, a sturdy shallow-water vessel, and a 22-foot Angler deep-v center-console for salvage jobs. Both response vessels are kept at Roland Martin Marina. Ammons' boats are easily recognizable by their red hulls and TowBoatUS logos emblazoned in bright white letters on their sides, and they're rigged and ready for towing, jump starts, fuel delivery and soft ungroundings.
Boaters can reach TowBoatUS Lake Okeechobee by hailing on VHF channel 16, by calling the company directly at (239) 600-0140, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at (800) 391-4869, or via smartphone using the new BoatUS App. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing, or call (800) 888-4869.