TowBoatUS, which offers professional 24/7 on-water towing and assistance to boaters, has expanded its service in the region with the opening of TowBoatUS Upper Rappahannock.

“We can now respond faster to a vessel breakdown than we could have from our Gwynn’s Island or Reedville TowBoatUS locations,” said Capt. Chris Parker, who operates the three in addition to TowBoatUS Crisfield on Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore.

The four locations are part of nationwide network of more than 300 TowBoatUS “ports,” providing routine on-water assistance including towing, battery jumps, fuel drop-offs and soft ungroundings. Across the country, the towing service responds to around 90,000 requests for assistance each year.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water unlimited towing memberships for saltwater boaters and anglers for $165 per year. Also included are more than 25 BoatUS benefits including discounts on t...