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TowBoatU.S. Old Saybrook Has A New Captain at the Helm

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. - TowBoatU.S. Old Saybrook, the on-the-water towing company that helps boaters on Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River get safely home after a breakdown, has a new owner.  Capt. Dave Hoblin, a former captain with the company for 10 years, recently purchased the business that is located at Between the Bridges Marina in Old Saybrook, CT.  Battery jump starts, fuel drop offs, and ungrounding services are some of the more common requests for assistance, which is available 24-hours a day.

The U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Hoblin, who originally hails from Chester, CT, says he looks forward to the upcoming boating season.  "Being on the water helping boaters is what makes me feel great. Everyday is different - there is no other profession I'd rather be in. It's a nice feeling to be the 'good guys' on the water, and have people wave as you pass by," he said.

Growing up in a boating family, Hoblin says he has scraped, sanded, and painted more boat bottoms that he cares to remember, and crawled into the tightest engine compartments. "I can't believe I've never gotten stuck," he adds with a smile. Other past experience includes service in the U.S. Air Force and Connecticut Air National Guard as well as stints with private ferry, research and pilot boat operations.  He currently resides in Old Lyme, CT, along with his wife and three kids from kindergarten to college age.

BoatU.S. offers "Unlimited" on-the-water towing plans <http://www.BoatUS.com/towing>  for coastal salt and brackish waters for just $149 a year, which includes BoatU.S. membership <http://www.BoatUS.com/membership/default.asp>  .  Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average about $600 per incident.  Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach TowBoatU.S. Old Saybrook by calling the company directly at 860-514-0877; by VHF radio on channel 16; or through the BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869.  Visit www.BoatUS.com/towing <http://www.BoatUS.com/towing>  for more information.

About BoatU.S. Towing Services:
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with a wide array of consumer services, including on-the-water towing assistance provided by TowBoatU.S. and Vessel Assist Pacific. Combined, these two towing fleets offer North American boaters the largest network of U.S., Canadian and Bahamian towing ports with over 290 locations and over 600 towing assistance vessels -- more than double that of any other service provider.