Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

TowBoatUS comes to Grand Haven, Michigan

by D. Scott Croft on 10 Jun 2016
Capt. Richard Lenardson aboard his TowBoatUS response vessel ready to assist recreational boaters 24 hours a day D. Scott Croft
Capt. Richard Lenardson, who has been coming to the aid of Lake Michigan boaters in need of a battery jump, soft ungrounding, fuel delivery or a tow back home for the last 10 years, has opened TowBoatUS Grand Haven, a 24-hour on water towing and assistance service for recreational boaters.

“My local company, Great Lakes Towing, worked as an independent tower in the Grand Haven area for eight years, and now we are thrilled to become an official TowBoatUS port,” Lenardson said. “The benefits are enormous. Why would someone want to pay me $250 an hour for a tow when they can join BoatUS and get a towing plan for $72 a year?” The location is one of several that Lenardson is opening this season. TowBoatUS has 42 locations on the Great Lakes alone, and over 300 nationally.

Much like a reliable auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Membership Plans for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $72 a year that includes valuable BoatUS membership. All plans are good for any boat owned, rented or borrowed. Going without a plan leaves boaters facing costs that average $700 per incident nationally.

Grand Haven, officially named “Coast Guard City USA” by an act of Congress, is the most popular boating area on Lake Michigan after Chicago, according to Lenardson. It is home to a large US Coast Guard station and each summer, the community hosts a 10-day Coast Guard Festival that draws 300,000 people for carnival events, fireworks and tours of Coast Guard boats. Thousands of recreational boats raft up on the Grand River. “They are so close together, you can literally walk from boat to boat for miles,” Lenardson said. TowBoatUS Grand Haven will be there to assist any boater who needs a hand.

The US Coast Guard licensed Lenardson is owner of TowBoatUS Chicago and eight additional TowBoatUS ports along the shores of Lake Michigan, working with a staff of highly qualified licensed captains who are on call 24/7. The Grand Haven response boat, a 10-meter aluminum-hulled Zodiac with diesel-powered jet drives, is the fastest in the fleet, assuring it can bring prompt service to boaters on Lake Michigan, Spring Lake and adjacent inland rivers. The bright red boat, which is based at North Shore Marina directly across the Grand River from the U.S. Coast Guard station, has the TowBoatUS name and logo emblazoned in white letters on the hull, and is fully rigged for towing and salvage, with powerful pumps, battery jump packs, dive gear and extra fuel.

TowBoatUS Grand Haven can be hailed on VHF channel 16, reached by calling the local office directly at 269-226-2125, by calling the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, and via smartphone with the free BoatUS Towing App. Lenardson is big fan of the smartphone app since it gives his dispatchers the exact location of the boat that needs help. “We can get there much faster when we have that information,” he said. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/towing or call 800-888-4869.
Zhik 2024 DecemberAllen Dynamic 40 FooterHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Related Articles

America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton appears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted today at 4:19 am
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 1
Ideal conditions for starting the Southern Wind RendezVous and Trophy The 2025 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised by the YCCS with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, got under way right on time today, 28 May 2025 at 11.30 a.m. on the waters off Porto Cervo.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender.
Posted on 28 May
2025 is going to be a huge season for IMOCA
Antoine Mermod talks about the season ahead Over the next four years the most exciting monohull class in world offshore ocean racing will take on no less than 17 races, covering tens of thousands of miles of the world's oceans.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 28 May
Increased Crowds and Unrivalled Showcase
At 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May 2025.
Posted on 28 May
CYCA team to take best shot at the Admiral's Cup
The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black during the Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes from the Isle of Wight from 17 July - 1 August.
Posted on 28 May
Doyle Sails: Ragtime blends retro and modern
Launched in 1966, Infidel now Ragtime Sailing, has celebrated her 60th year with a refit Tina Roberts has beautifully restored Ragtime Sailing in honour of her late partner's wishes, choosing Doyle Sails not only for the world-class sails but for the depth of experience, personal commitment, and collaborative support that define the team.
Posted on 28 May
The Ocean's Logbook amplifies global voices
A digital survey that looks beyond cold statistics to capture real stories A powerful new campaign designed to capture the world's emotional connection to the ocean is being launched today ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June.
Posted on 27 May
SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed.
Posted on 27 May