Marine Industry Veteran Takes the Helm of Local Boat Towing Operation

Capt. Jeff Dziedzic New Owner of TowBoatUS Mystic, New London
and Watch Hill

MYSTIC, Conn. July 6, 2011 - Capt. Jeff Dziedzic, a Connecticut native with deep roots in the local recreational boating industry, has purchased one of the largest recreational boat towing operations in New England with three locations: TowBoatUS Mystic CT; TowBoatUS New London CT; and TowBoatUS Watch Hill RI. Capt. Don Rich, former owner of the business, as well as other hired captains remain with the company which provides 24-hour a day on-the-water towing, fuel drop offs, battery jump starts and ungrounding services, much like an auto club for recreational boaters. To see the locations on a map, go to www.BoatUS.com/mystic.

In addition to being the new owner the business, Capt. Dziedzic has been the Groton Harbormaster since 2004 and is owner of Downeast Lighthouse Tours, which offers cruises of local waters on an authentic 31-foot lobster boat. He's also the former manager of Pine Island Marina and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Homeland Security New London Harbor Group II Marine Ports & Maritime Support Network Committee.

With the purchase of the three TowBoatUS ports, the USCG-licensed Dziedzic says the company's reputation for top-notch service will remain unchanged. "It's great to have Capt. Rich and all our other captains continuing on with us. They have years of experience and familiarity with the area, and know how to get boaters, sailors and anglers home quickly," said Dziedzic.

As a youngster, Dziedzic raced sailboats and fished Fishers Island Sound with his grandfather. Today, those waters can snare unsuspecting vessels. "It's very rocky," said Dziedzic. "It can go from 30 feet in depth to zero in an instant, which can damage running gear such as props and outdrives."

Much like an auto club for boaters, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers the "Unlimited" on-the-water towing service plan for salt and freshwater boaters for just $149 annually, which includes BoatUS or BoatUS Angler membership with all of the benefits. Boaters without an annual towing plan pay out-of-pocket costs that start at about $200 an hour, with an average tow costing about $600 per incident.

Recreational boaters, sailors and anglers can call TowBoatUS Mystic, New London and Watch Hill 24-hours a day at 860-536-3128, through the BoatUS toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869, or by hailing on VHF radio channel 16. Dziedzic has a total of seven response boats - three are 27-foot Almar rigid hull inflatables powered with twin 225hp Honda outboards. All are professionally rigged for marine towing and salvage work and ready to go at a moment's notice, including extra fuel, engine fluids, pumps and battery "jump packs" to handle dead batteries. The fleet can be identified by their distinctive red hulls, white bow stripes and "TowBoatUS" lettering along their sides. Dive services are also available.

The three ports are part of the country's largest boat towing program, BoatUS Towing Services, with over 600 towboats servicing hundreds of ports and waterways coast to coast. The towing program is just one service offered by BoatUS - the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its half-million members with government representation, consumer programs and money-saving services. For more information go to www.BoatUS.com/towing or call 800-888-4869.

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