Capt. Dana Rutland goes inland, opening TowBoatUS Clarks Hill Lake, Georgia

(R to L) TowBoatUS Clarks Hill Lake owner Capt. Dana Rutland, first mate Kip Knight and Capt. Alison George © BoatUS

Capt. Dana Rutland, owner of TowBoatUS on-water recreational boat towing ports in Savannah and St. Catherines, Georgia, and Beaufort, South Carolina, has opened his fourth location - this one on inland freshwaters. TowBoatUS Clarks Hill Lake, located about 30 miles north of Augusta and stradding the Georgia/South Carolina state line, assists boaters with routine troubles on a waterway with more than 1,200 miles of shoreline and plenty of places for unexpected breakdowns.

Capt. Alison George and first mate Kip Knight are stationed at the new port located at Safe Harbor Trade Winds. They run a red 24-foot response vessel providing professional towing, ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services 24 hours a day. Rutland's four TowBoatUS ports are part of a nationwide fleet of more than 600 TowBoatUS vessels that respond to more than 90,000 requests each year for on-water assistance from recreational boaters and anglers.

Rutland, who has been on the water since before he could crawl, began his TowBoatUS on-water towing business in 2006 at age 51 after he found himself unexpectedly broken down on the water and without a reliable way home. When he investigated a TowBoatUS career, Rutland says enthusiastically, "I thought it was pretty neat to get paid to drive a boat!" Today's news reflects Rutland's desire to grow his successful business that's also celebrating its 17th anniversary this year.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers annual on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $99 per year. Included are more than 25 BoatUS benefits including discounts at local fuel docks and transient slips at marinas. Also offered with membership is a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

Capt. Rutland's ports are ACAPT-accredited, supporting best practices in the recreational marine assistance industry. Separate from routine BoatUS on-water towing services, the company offers boat salvage and spill clean-up services.

The fastest way to request assistance from TowBoatUS Clarks Hill Lake is to download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain. Additionally, the company can be reached at 912-414-0436, or by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869.

For more go to BoatUS.com/Towing or call 800-888-4869.