TowBoatUS reopens in Red Wing, Minn.
RED WING, Minn. – TowBoatUS has reopened in Red Wing, Minn., where it will be available to help recreational boaters on the Upper Mississippi River. Capt. Michael Jorgensen was captain of the towing response boat at TowBoatUS Red Wing from 2005 through 2013, but service was suspended in 2014 due to an ownership change at Bills Bay Marina where TowBoatUS Red Wing is based.
TowBoatUS offers on-water unlimited towing plans for freshwater boaters and anglers for $72 a year, with a BoatUS membership included. TowBoatUS says that without a towing plan, boaters face costs that average $750 per incident nationally.
Jorgensen, who has been boating since childhood, has worked in the marine industry since 1984 and has been a USCG licensed captain since 2004. He also works as a mechanic and service manager at the marina, but he says he is happiest when he is on the water, going to the aid of fellow boaters in his bright red TowBoatUS towing vessel. The boat, a 21-foot Century center console with a 200-horsepower Yamaha engine, bears the TowBoatUS name and logo in large white letters and is on call 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It is fully equipped with radar, spotlights dewatering pumps, battery jump packs, extra fuel and towing gear.
To see the location on a map, go to BoatUS.com/redwing. The service can be hailed on VHF channel 16 or reached by calling Jorgensen directly at 651-380-4634, or by calling the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, and via smartphone with the free BoatUS Towing App.
More information can be found at BoatUS.com/towing or call 800-888-4869.
