For on-water towing assistance, the Tow BoatUS phone number for 24-hour dispatch is 800-391-4869. Save it in your phone before departure, and keep it written near the helm as a backup. If you have an immediate threat to life, a serious medical emergency, fire, flooding, collision, or another distress situation, use VHF Channel 16 or call 911 instead of treating the event as a routine tow request.
A dead battery, engine failure, fuel problem, fouled propeller, or minor grounding can leave a boat unable to return under its own power. Having the Tow BoatUS phone number ready helps you contact a dispatcher promptly, provide your location accurately, and decide whether a towing provider is the appropriate resource for the situation.
The Tow BoatUS phone number is intended for boaters who need on-water assistance but are not facing an immediate emergency. The dispatcher can take the details of your situation and arrange help through the Tow BoatUS network where service is available. Response time depends on weather, location, demand, tidal conditions, the nature of the breakdown, and the availability of a towboat in the area.
Call early if your boat is disabled and drifting toward shallow water, a channel edge, rocks, traffic, bridge structures, or other hazards. Waiting for a small mechanical issue to become a grounding or collision can make the situation more complicated and potentially more expensive.
Do not use a routine towing call as a substitute for emergency rescue. If people are in the water, the boat is taking on water, there is a fire, someone is severely injured, conditions are deteriorating quickly, or you believe the vessel may be in danger, contact emergency services first.
A dispatcher can work more effectively when you provide a clear picture of the boat’s location and condition. Avoid guessing if possible. Use your chartplotter, phone mapping app, VHF radio position display, or nearby navigational aids to identify where you are.
Calling the Tow BoatUS phone number is faster when the essential details are gathered before you dial. Give the information in a calm, direct order. If you are unsure of something, say so rather than offering an inaccurate location or diagnosis.
| Information to provide | Why it matters | Useful example |
|---|---|---|
| Current location | Helps the towing provider find you without a broad search. | GPS coordinates, channel marker, or distance and direction from a marina. |
| Boat description | Allows the captain to identify your vessel among other traffic. | Center-console, pontoon, sailboat, cabin cruiser, hull color, and length. |
| Nature of the problem | Helps determine the equipment and response needed. | No start, steering failure, prop fouled, grounded, or out of fuel. |
| People aboard | Provides a basic safety picture. | Two adults and two children, all wearing life jackets. |
| Boat condition | Distinguishes a routine tow from a possible emergency. | Not taking on water; anchored in six feet of water; drifting toward shore. |
| Requested destination | Supports towing and marina planning. | Nearest safe ramp, home marina, or a repair facility you have contacted. |
Membership details may also be useful if you have a BoatUS towing membership. Keep your membership information in a waterproof onboard document pouch or stored in a phone wallet. If you are not a member, the dispatcher can still explain available service options, but coverage, charges, and terms should be confirmed directly before service begins.
Knowing which number or radio procedure to use matters more than simply having a towing contact. Towboat operators can provide valuable assistance, but emergency responders should be contacted without delay when lives or the vessel are in immediate danger.
| Situation | First contact | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Dead battery in calm water, no immediate hazard | Tow BoatUS dispatch | A jump-start or tow may resolve a non-emergency breakdown. |
| Out of fuel while safely anchored or drifting clear of hazards | Tow BoatUS dispatch | Fuel delivery or towing may be available depending on the area and conditions. |
| Soft grounding with no injuries, flooding, or imminent danger | Tow BoatUS dispatch | A towing provider can assess whether an ungrounding is appropriate. |
| Boat taking on water, fire, major collision, or severe injury | 911 and VHF Channel 16 | Immediate rescue and emergency response take priority over towing. |
| People overboard or vessel in immediate danger near surf, rocks, or heavy traffic | VHF Channel 16 and emergency services | The incident may require urgent coordinated rescue support. |
VHF Channel 16 is monitored for distress and calling by the U.S. Coast Guard and many marine operators. A cell phone is useful, but it may not provide the same broadcast reach to nearby vessels. If conditions are escalating, use the radio and emergency services rather than relying only on a phone call.
A phone contact is only useful if the phone has power, signal, and dry access when the problem occurs. Build redundancy into your boating preparation, especially for offshore trips, nighttime runs, unfamiliar waterways, or trips with children and guests aboard.
Do not assume an app alone is sufficient. Apps can be helpful when cellular data and device power are available, but a saved phone number, VHF radio, paper chart or local reference, and basic emergency equipment remain sensible backups.
BoatUS towing memberships are designed to help members manage the cost of eligible on-water assistance, subject to the membership terms and service area. The exact benefits, exclusions, limits, covered vessel details, and availability can change, so review your current membership documents rather than assuming every service is included.
For boaters without coverage, a tow may involve charges that vary by location, distance, time, equipment needs, weather, and the complexity of the job. A straightforward tow in protected water is very different from a difficult ungrounding in wind, current, or shallow water. Ask the dispatcher or responding provider what information they can give you about anticipated service and billing before work begins, provided the situation is stable enough for that discussion.
Most delays come from unclear location details, late calls, or an incomplete understanding of the boat’s condition. A few minutes spent preparing the call can help the responding captain find you and arrive with a clearer plan.
Once you have called the Tow BoatUS phone number and assistance has been arranged, focus on keeping the boat and passengers safe. Continue monitoring the weather, vessel position, surrounding traffic, and anchor status. If your situation becomes more dangerous, update the dispatcher and contact emergency services as appropriate.
Prepare for the towboat’s arrival without creating new risks. Stow loose gear, keep children and passengers away from the bow and stern work areas, and do not handle lines until directed by the towing captain. Tow arrangements depend on boat type, sea state, and the captain’s operational judgment. The towboat operator should determine the safest connection method and passenger instructions.
After returning to shore, address the root cause before the next trip. Recharge and test batteries, inspect fuel and filters, remove fouling carefully, check cooling-water flow, inspect the propeller and lower unit after a grounding, and arrange a qualified marine inspection if damage is possible. A tow gets you to safety; it does not confirm that the underlying fault has been fixed.
The Tow BoatUS dispatch number is 800-391-4869. Save it before leaving the dock, but use 911 and VHF Channel 16 for a life-threatening marine emergency or an immediate danger to the vessel.
You can contact dispatch to request help and discuss available service. Membership status can affect coverage and out-of-pocket costs, so ask about the applicable terms and charges for your specific situation before authorizing service when circumstances permit.
A light grounding without injuries or immediate danger may be a towing-assistance situation. Do not keep applying throttle in an attempt to get free, especially if you could damage the propulsion system or hull. If the grounding creates flooding, injury, exposure to surf, or another urgent risk, contact emergency services first.
GPS coordinates are most useful when available. You can also provide a channel marker number, nearby marina, bridge, inlet, landmark, heading, waterway name, and your direction of drift. Describe your boat clearly so the responding captain can identify it.
A cell phone is effective for direct contact when you have signal and battery power, but it does not alert nearby boaters in the same way as a VHF distress call. Carry both when practical, and know how to use VHF Channel 16 if an emergency develops.
The destination may depend on safety, weather, water depth, local service coverage, marina access, and the terms of any applicable towing plan. Tell the dispatcher your preferred destination, then confirm what is practical with the responding provider.
The most useful action is simple: save the Tow BoatUS phone number, 800-391-4869, before you need it, and pair it with a charged phone, working VHF radio, current boat information, and a plan for sharing your location. For a routine breakdown, an early, accurate call can reduce uncertainty and help get your boat to a safe destination. For any immediate danger to people or the vessel, move straight to emergency communications.