For 17 years, Capt. James “Jimmer” Kennedy has managed operations for five 24-hour TowBoatUS on-water assistance ports in Ohio. Capt. Kennedy is now the owner of the local company homeported out of Sandusky with additional TowBoatUS ports in Huron, Cedar Point, Vermilion and Lorain.
Capt. Kennedy began his maritime career in high school working at Neuman Boat Line, served aboard the Kelley’s Island Ferry, and eventually became a commercial mariner with The Interlake Steamship Company, earning his U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited Master of Towing license. He began towing recreational vessels as a part-time TowBoatUS captain in 1999, and eventually led efforts to grow the company from three Lake Erie TowBoatUS locations to today’s five.
Much like an auto club for boaters, TowBoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Freshwater Towing Membership for $85 per year. Tows to launch ramps, marinas or private docks; battery jumps; fuel drop-offs; and soft ungrounding services are provided day or night by professional U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains.
Boaters can reach all of Capt. Kennedy’s TowBoatUS ports by downloading the free BoatUS mobile app, hailing on VHF channel 16 or calling the company directly at 877-526-0229. Visit BoatUS.com/Towing.
