Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

TowBoatUS comes to the Caribbean

by D. Scott Croft on 21 Dec 2016
TowBoatUS St. Thomas is the first TowBoatUS towing location in the Lesser Antilles, and part of a network over 300 locations and 600 response vessels in North America TowBoatUS
Capt. Robert Manley, a New Jersey native who has been running marine businesses in the Caribbean for the last 25 years, has opened TowBoatUS St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). “I’ve been towing boats and helping boaters ever since I came to St. Thomas,” he said. “The only real difference now is that I am working with BoatUS, which has great member benefits.”

Now anyone who boats in the USVI or the nearby Spanish Virgin Islands can take advantage of 24/7 on-water assistance. Much like an auto club for boaters, TowBoatUS offers on water towing plans for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $149 a year which includes BoatUS membership. Boaters face costs that average $700 per towing incident – with some paying into the thousands out of pocket – when they don’t have an annual BoatUS towing plan.

The maritime jack-of-all-trades Capt. Manley got his sea legs as a youngster fishing off the New Jersey coast. After several years running a demolition and construction business in his home state, he left the cold and snow behind and headed to the islands where he built marinas, ran fishing charters and boated for pleasure. “The sun and saltwater do me a lot of good,” he explained.

Manley is well known locally from running Above & Below Marine Services, a company that offers a range of boat-repair and assistance services. His goal now, he said, it to let people know about TowBoatUS membership and benefits. “It’s well known in the States but new down here,” he said. To celebrate and share the news, TowBoatUS St. Thomas hosted a pig roast and decked out its boats with a Santa and snowmen for the island Christmas boat parade this past weekend. Manley has also reached out to help with St. Thomas Yacht Club events. “Once people know about us, I know they will want our service,” he said.

St. Thomas and the surrounding waters are vibrant boating areas attracting both locals and snowbirds who cruise south from mainland U.S. TowBoatUS St. Thomas is based at Ruans Marine in Banner Bay on the east end of the island. In addition to St. Thomas, it covers the islands of St Croix and St. John in the USVI and Puerto Rico’s Culebra and Vieques, known as the Spanish Virgin Islands. Culebra is just 12 nautical miles away, Manley said. “It’s lot closer to us than it is to mainland Puerto Rico.

TowBoatUS St. Thomas has two bright red assist boats: a 29-foot Fountain powered by twin 150-hp outboards and a 33-foot Bertram with twin diesels. The TowBoatUS name is emblazoned in bright white letters on their hulls, and each are fully rigged for towing and salvage, with powerful pumps, battery jump packs, dive gear and extra fuel.

Boaters can reach TowBoatUS St. Thomas by hailing on VHF channel 16, calling the company directly at 340-201-2820, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, or via smartphone using the free BoatUS Towing App. More information can be found at BoatUS website or call 800-888-4869.

TowBoatUS St. Thomas is one of four BoatUS ports outside the mainland US. The others are located in Vancouver, Gulf Islands and Georgia Strait in British Columbia, Canada. TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach can also assist boaters in the western Bahamas.
Selden 2020 - FOOTERSea Sure 2025X-Yachts X4.0

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Inshore Racing Videos
Day One summary and interviews with many competitors Day One summary and interviews with Back2Black, Black Pearl, Beau Ideal, Beau Geste, and Teasing Machine.
Posted today at 12:45 am
America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admirals Cup: Leader board changes - Day 3
The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the Admirals' Cup The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the 2025 Admirals Cup, but otherwise the rich got richer on the regatta leaderboard.
Posted on 23 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Upwind to the Fastnet Rock
The long range forecast for this year's race shows more benign conditions Teams that competed in the last two Rolex Fastnet Races and are returning for this Saturday's special centenary edition will be breathing a sigh of relief looking at the long term forecast.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 2
Beau Geste and Nola rise in shifty Solent showdown Race Four of the Admiral's Cup brought a tactical masterclass in light airs to the Central Solent. PRO Stuart Childerley set a windward leeward course for both classes, 1.6nm for AC1 and a shorter 1.4nm for AC2.
Posted on 23 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The final group of five invited skippers is announced The final group of skippers to be announced for the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship radiates enthusiasm for this groundbreaking opportunity in one of the world's most famous sailing cities.
Posted on 23 Jul