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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Sea Tow - Boat U.S.
June 1, 2008
It happens to all boaters. A day on the water is going well and then something unexpected happens. It is usually simple, like running out of gas, a battery dying, or a rope getting caught in the propeller. Regardless of the reason, options for assistance vary.
One boater might try to hail a passing vessel. Another might call a friend or a professional towing service. Lake Norman has two nationally branded maritime towing companies. Each answers calls 24/7 and generally arrives within an hour to assist a disabled vessel. Both Sea Tow ( www.seatow.com ) and Boat U.S.( www.boatus.com ) offer annual memberships that include towing services similar to the roadside assistance programs offered by motor clubs.
According to Capt. Brian Graves at Sea Tow, “the majority of calls are for gas or jump starts. Other calls involve groundings, propeller entanglements and salvage. It takes special equipment, as well as the skill of a trained professional, to remove a grounded vessel from a shoal and tow it to safe harbor “
Sea Tow of Lake Norman has eight captains and three vessels for towing and salvage. All captains are licensed by the United States Coast Guard and hold separate licenses for “Commercial Assistance Towing”. Capt. Brian states that, “customer service is the main reason Sea Tow/Lake Norman membership renewals are the third fastest growing in the network.”
Sea Tow and Boat U.S. offer a variety of service packages. The best program provides service anywhere in the United States where commercial towing is available, whether fresh or salt water. Hundreds of Lake Norman boaters are enrolled in a towing assistance program. If you are not presently a member of a program, you might want to consider joining one.
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In a recent press release, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission asked that boaters be reminded of the following:
Blue Light - No Wake: Boats approaching a law enforcement vessel with flashing blue lights must slow to a no-wake speed within 100 feet. In narrow channels, the distance is 50 feet.
Wear a Life Vest: State law recommends that all passengers wear a proper life vest. It is a REQUIREMENT for children under 13 on any recreational vessel underway. A floating cushion or a life vest nearby often isn’t enough in an emergency.
Be Involved: Boaters should report accidents and violations by calling toll free 1-800-662-7137.
Upcoming Events:
Boater Safety Class – “Night Boating and Anchoring on Lake Norman” - Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC – Thursday, June 12, 2008, 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Registration $25.00. For more information or to register, call Capt. Scott Spivey - 704-587-0325 or visit www.lmservice.org.
“Night Fishing for Lake Norman Stripers, Bass and Catfish” - A free seminar conducted by Mac Byrum and Capt. Gus Gustafson - Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC – Thursday, June 19, 2008, 6:30 p.m. Call 704 658 0822 for additional information.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Have replacement bulbs for running lights and flash light on board when cruising after dark.
The Hot Spots of the Week:
Anglers trolling with down riggers are reporting nice striper catches in Mountain Creek and in the main river channel from Marker 13, south to Governor’s Island. Bass fishing continues to be good to very good with spinner baits and bottom bumping artificials near dock pilings.
The water level is currently 1.7' below full pond. Water surface temperature is in the mid-seventies.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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