Capt. Michael Tucker adds on-water towing service, TowBoatUS Lake Texoma

(L to R) Capt. Tim Bilderback, TowBoatUS Lake Texoma owner Capt. Michael Tucker, and Capt. Chris Grimm © Scott Croft

When he started working on a temporary basis as a hired captain for TowBoatUS Lake Texoma owners Capt. William "Joe" Winner and wife, Roxan, in 2011, Capt. Michael Tucker had just moved home to the Lake Texoma region to help his dad run a newly purchased bait shop. Nearly 12 years later, that temporary TowBoatUS captain's job turned into the ownership role of the 24/7 on-water assistance and towing company for recreational boaters.

"Joe had been good-naturedly teasing me for years, asking when I was going to buy his TowBoatUS business as he and Roxan had plans to retire," said Tucker. "It was the right time to move into ownership," he added.

Today, Capt. Tucker and his dad, Smokey, not only still have the bait shop, but also own and operate other area marine and hospitality businesses including Lighthouse Resort and Marina, where TowBoatUS Lake Texoma's five red response vessels are homeported. Others include Paradise on Lake Texoma and Sundance Camp, both RV glamping and cabin resorts, the beach destination Island View Park, and charter company Fastrac Cruises.

The TowBoatUS service on the lake provides 24/7 towing, battery jumps, soft ungroundings and fuel drop-offs to recreational boaters. "Due to the size and diversity of boating areas on the lake, very few people know the lake like our captains, who have more than 50 years of cumulative towing experience," added Tucker. Lake Texoma has some 6 million annual visitors with 19 marinas with a total of 4,000 boat slips. It is also known as a sailing destination. "We can handle a wide range of watercraft," he said. All of the company's captains are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $99 per year. Included are more than 25 benefits and discounts, a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

Separate from BoatUS on-water towing services, the company offers boat salvage, diving and environmental remediation services.

The fastest way to request assistance from TowBoatUS Lake Texoma is to download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain. Additionally, the company can be reached at 903-267-0767, by hailing on VHF channel 16, or by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing or by calling 800-888-4869.