TowBoatUS St. Marks Expands Ownership Team
What started as a trip to Florida to run a half-marathon quickly turned into a new life on the water for U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain Kevin Lankowicz. After gaining experience towing and assisting boaters in the Tampa Bay area, Kevin has now joined TowBoatUS St. Mark’s ownership team alongside Daimin Barth, who has long led the operation.
As new co-owner, Kevin has stepped into the lead role at TowBoatUS St. Mark’s, according to the organization, taking over day-to-day operations. Daimin Barth remains actively involved with the business, ensuring continuity and ongoing support for the region’s boating community.
“TowBoatUS St. Marks gives me an opportunity to do what I love most, being on the river and helping fellow boaters when they need it most,” said Kevin in a news release. “My goal is to help boaters get back to land safely and offer peace of mind that professional on-water assistance is just a phone call away.”
Helping the Recreational Boating Community
TowBoatUS St. Marks homeports its 25-foot Parker red response vessel at Lynn Brothers Marina and primarily assists boaters traveling along the Appalachian Bay. In addition to offering towing services, TowBoatUS St. Marks also provides recreational boaters with battery jumps, soft ungroundings and fuel delivery, according to the organization. Separate from routine on-water assistance, the port also offers salvage and other services.
This summer, TowBoatUS St. Marks will host a barbecue at the St. Marks Sandbar to show its appreciation for the recreational boating community. The event is planned as a celebration of local boaters, according to the organization, with more details to be shared in the coming months.
Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water towing memberships for $130/year for freshwater and $215/year for saltwater. In addition to a BoatUS Towing Membership, members also receive more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.
To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS St. Mark’s directly at 850-508-4498, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.
