Local business owner starts a new line of work on Lake Wylie: Getting boaters safely home

Capt. Adam Huth, new owner of TowBoatUS Lake Wylie, aboard one of his 24-hour on-water assistance company's response vessels © Scott Croft

On Lake Wylie when a boat breaks down, runs aground, runs out of fuel, or needs a tow to the launch ramp, TowBoatUS Lake Wylie is ready 24-hours a day to help. Captain Adam Huth, the new owner of the on-water towing and assistance service, has added a second location to help manage the lake’s increasing recreational boating activity.

“We’ve got a lot of new boaters with the recent explosive growth on Lake Wylie,” said Capt. Huth. “Including myself, we have four local captains stationed on Lake Wylie, greatly reducing response times and ready to help boaters 24/7.” All of the company’s professional captains are US Coast Guard-licensed with years of experience on the waterway.

Much like an auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $72 a year, with towing services provided by TowBoatUS. Without a membership, boaters face steep out-of-pocket costs that can be upward of $400 per towing incident. “The $72 annual membership is the best deal in town”, says Huth. “The Unlimited Towing Membership provides for tows, fuel drops, and battery jumps on any boat you own, borrow or charter.”

Huth grew up in south Florida and has lived in Charlotte for 15 years. His career in boating started years ago when he quit his job to go sailing aboard tall ships, earning his captain’s license along the way. Later he settled in Charlotte to start a family, and built a business that serves the medical community. Huth and his wife, Keirsten, who also helms the company’s response vessels, have called Lake Wylie home for several years along with their three daughters. Now, he’s focused on bringing his passion for boating to Lake Wylie’s growing area.

“I got into TowBoatUS to give a great experience to people who’d otherwise be having a pretty bad day on the water,” said Huth. “It’s what I love to do. Occasionally boaters need a gentle pull when they’ve run up too far up on a bar, or they’ll call for a tow back to a dock or ramp after a breakdown. Water levels can vary, and you can get stuck if you’re unfamiliar with an area. We’re ready 24 hours a day.”

TowBoatUS Lake Wylie keeps two response vessels on the lake ready to assist boaters in need. Both are easily recognizable by their red hulls and TowBoatUS logos emblazoned in bright white letters on their sides. They are rigged for towing, jump-starts, fuel delivery and soft ungroundings. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing services, the company also refloats sunken boats and provides salvage services.

Boaters can reach TowBoatUS Lake Wylie by hailing on VHF channel 16, by calling the company directly at 803-681-0911, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, or via smartphone using the new BoatUS Towing App. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/towing, or call 800-888-4869.