TowBoatUS Aurora Expands On-Water Assistance Across Kentucky
TowBoatUS recently opened TowBoatUS Aurora, a new location designed to improve response times and expand coverage for recreational boaters on Kentucky Lake.
Owned and operated by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain David Granstaff, TowBoatUS Aurora is his second TowBoatUS port, according to the organization, complementing existing operations at TowBoatUS Grand Rivers. The new location was established to improve response times and provide more comprehensive coverage for boaters navigating the region’s busy waterways.
TowBoatUS Aurora serves Kentucky Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the eastern United States, according to the organization. It supports a wide range of recreational boaters who travel from across the region, including St. Louis, Memphis and Nashville. The port also plays a key role along the popular Great Loop route, assisting hundreds of transient boaters each fall.
“Kentucky Lake is a special place for boaters, and we take pride in serving the people who travel here every season,” said Granstaff in a news release. “We see boaters coming through all season long, including those making their way along the Great Loop. Opening in Aurora allows us to stay close to that traffic, respond faster and continue building on the strong relationships we’ve anchored here.”
TowBoatUS Offers Additional Help in Kentucky
TowBoatUS Aurora is based at Ken Lake Marina and operates a 25-foot Metal Shark response vessel powered by a 450-horsepower engine. The port is staffed by four U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains and provides towing, fuel delivery, jump-starts, repair services and assistance for boats that run aground, according to the organization. Ken Lake Marina also provides added value for BoatUS members, including discounted fuel, with members receiving 10 cents off per gallon.
Granstaff brings years of experience on the water to the role, according to the organization, having started his career in the yachting industry towing vessels in South Florida before transitioning into marina ownership in Kentucky. He acquired TowBoatUS Grand Rivers as part of the purchase of Ken Lake Marina and has continued to grow his operations, with plans for further expansion in the coming years.
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. 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, according to the organization.
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 Aurora directly at (270) 508-2330 or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.
