BoatUS

The BoatUS Government Affairs team joined other board members of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association on Capitol Hill today to discuss important issues impacting the canals, inlets, and bays that make up the marine “I-95” running from Norfolk, Virginia to Miami, Florida. Representing boaters, dredging companies, marine construction, small-ship cruise lines and port operators, the group carried the message of keeping the waterway working as a system that benefits all.

It’s a call that no TowBoatUS captain wants to hear. Late one midsummer night at 1:30 a.m., TowBoatUS Big Pine Key received an urgent request from Monroe County Fire Rescue asking for assistance with a 35-foot center-console with eight passengers aboard that struck a concrete bridge. Children were aboard, and persons were thought to be in the water. TowBoatUS Big Pine Key immediately launched two response boats, with Capt. Kevin Freestone the first to arrive on scene and the second following minutes later. It was immediately apparent to Capt. Freestone that the large center-console was full of passengers when it struck the bridge at high speed. The boat had heavy bow damage, its leaning post and center-console ripped free. When he arrived, it was pinned against the bridge in heavy current, listing to port. With no on-water assets available, first responders on the bridge were using a ladder to evacuate passengers who were able to do so. Not everyone was. Capt. Freestone swiftly laid his 26-foot towboat alongside the stricken vessel, pinning the response boat’s bow under the tangled vessel’s T-top to prevent it from capsizing with three critically injured persons still aboard, including a 12-year-old boy screaming in pain. The operator of the vessel had a makeshift tourniquet around his leg, and he had lost a lot of blood. With the vessel flooding in the swift current, there wasn’t much time. With the help of EMTs, Freestone took the three injured aboard and carefully pulled away. The wreck immediately capsized. Freestone then rushed the injured with responders to shore where life flights were waiting. All eight persons survived the incident. As a result of his actions and act of selflessness, Freestone was later recognized by the Monroe Board of County Commissioners, receiving the first S.A.F.E.R. award (Selfless Actions For Emergency Response) for his lifesaving actions.

TowBoatUS Lake Texoma was honored with the coveted Tower of the Year award during the annual gathering of national TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet in Las Vegas. Company boasted 100% “excellent” feedback from customers. Congratulations TowBoatUS Lake Texoma! https://spr.ly/6041xhksP

This morning, Associates from the Government Affairs team attended the first House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation meeting of the 119th Congress. Topics discussed in this morning’s hearing included dredging funded by the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, preparing to integrate uncrewed systems into the maritime domain, and the importance of Aids to Navigation. BoatUS is always committed to making sure the US Coast Guard is ready and resilient for boaters. #BoatUSonWatch

Great news about a great boater ????????

Register by December 31st for Early Bird pricing! BoatUS Foundation's Turning the Tide Summit is funded in part by NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Debris Removal Program. boatus.org/turningthetide

GIVING TUESDAY IS HERE! Join us in our mission to promote, safe, clean and responsible boating. With your gift, we can continue to provide essential boating safety education, promote environmental stewardship and keep boating a safe and enjoyable pastime! https://spr.ly/6045tTXWD #GivingTuesday. ??

New data was released from the Bureau of Economic Analysis that found that boating/fishing leads as the number one contributor to the recreational economy. Specifically, the broader recreational economy accounts for 2.3%?($639.5 billion) of the US GDP. This statistic underscores the importance of recreational boating and BoatUS's work.?

New data was released from the Bureau of Economic Analysis that found that boating/fishing leads as the number one contributor to the recreational economy. Specifically, the broader recreational economy accounts for 2.3%?($639.5 billion) of the US GDP. This statistic underscores the importance of recreational boating and BoatUS's work.?

Registration is officially open for BoatUS Foundation’s virtual summit, Turning the Tide! ?? Attend and discover innovative solutions to restore the beauty and safety of our coastal and inland waters. ???February 25-27, 2025 ??Learn more and join the movement to #StopMarineWaste https://spr.ly/6042s8EoY