Why Boaters Choose Sea Tow

Created at: November 8, 2024 - Updated at: September 1, 2026

Boaters choose Sea Tow because membership provides access to professional on-water assistance, towing, fuel delivery, jump starts, covered ungroundings, dock-to-dock towing, and local captain support when unexpected problems happen on the water. Sea Tow is designed to give boaters a clear plan before a breakdown, dead battery, fuel issue, or disabled vessel interrupts the day.

Sea Tow has provided on-water assistance for more than 40 years, with members receiving priority service, one annual membership rate, and support from a nationwide network of local captains.

Whether you’re a longtime, loyal member or new to the family, know and understand all the benefits that Sea Tow Gold and Lake Card membership provide.

What Does a Sea Tow Membership Include?

Sea Tow membership is built around direct on-water assistance when common boating problems interrupt a trip. Depending on membership type, location, and the terms of the Membership Agreement, benefits can include:
• Towing in the member’s home area
• Dock-to-dock towing
• Fuel delivery
• Jump starts
• Covered ungroundings
• Parts delivery
• Oil delivery
• Navigation assistance
• Local captain knowledge
• 24/7 priority service
• Out-of-area assistance or reimbursement when applicable
Membership terms and eligibility can vary, so boaters should review the current Sea Tow Membership Agreement for complete coverage details.

Sea Tow Membership vs. Boat Insurance Towing

Sea Tow membership is designed to provide direct access to on-water assistance through Sea Tow’s network. When a covered service is needed, members contact Sea Tow for assistance according to the terms of their membership rather than filing a towing claim and paying first with the expectation of reimbursement.

Boat insurance is designed primarily to protect the vessel and the owner’s financial exposure. Some insurance policies may include towing or on-water assistance, but service providers, dollar limits, deductibles, claim procedures, and reimbursement requirements vary by policy.

Because the two products serve different purposes, boaters should review both their Sea Tow membership terms and their boat insurance policy rather than assuming one provides the same type of on-water assistance as the other.

How Boaters Can Contact Sea Tow

Boaters can call 800-4-SEATOW or use the Sea Tow App to request on-water assistance. The Sea Tow App can share GPS location information with the local Sea Tow, helping make the assistance request faster and more accurate.
Before requesting help, have the following information ready whenever possible:
• Your GPS coordinates or best available location
• Boat type, length, name, color, or other identifying details
• Number of people onboard
• The nature of the problem
• Whether the boat is anchored, drifting, grounded, or unable to operate safely
• Current weather, water conditions, and nearby hazards
If anyone is in immediate danger or the situation involves a life-threatening emergency, contact the Coast Guard or local emergency authorities first.

Unlimited Towing in Your Home Area

If you need a boat tow, no worries. With membership, there are no distance limits AND you will be towed to the port of your choice within your home area. Unlike Sea Tow, with most boat insurance policies you will be towed to the closest safe port. Plus, there may be a cap to the number of claims you can submit annually.

No Claims or Reimbursement Process for Covered Service

Submitting an insurance claim for on-water assistance with your provider may impact your rates. As a Sea Tow member, you pay one annual rate for the clear coverage you receive.

Priority Service and Response Time Matter

Members get 24/7 priority service and are always served before non-members. Sea Tow Captains routinely arrive in under 1-hour from 500+ ports nationwide. When you dial 800-4-SEATOW for assistance, 90% of all calls are answered by live U.S. based representatives in 20-seconds or less (Based on 2025 Sea Tow Services International call center data). So when you need help, you know who is coming to help you and when.

Offshore Assistance for Members

Sea Tow Captains always go the extra mile for members. Offshore distance is only limited by weather/sea conditions, crew availability, fuel capacity, and the ability to communicate. If for some reason we can’t respond, we will assist in arranging for an alternate provider and reimburse up to $5,000 per incident. If there is no other commercial assistance provider available, we will defer to the Coast Guard.

Scheduled Dock-to-Dock Tow Coverage

Gold and Lake Card memberships cover scheduled tows from your home dock to a repair facility or haul-out ramp on all your covered vessels. Check your insurance policy to understand if dock-to-dock towing coverage is included.

Local Knowledge and Professional Service

Reliable, professional Sea Tow Captains are standing by to provide local navigation and referrals, share local knowledge, and are trained to troubleshoot your issues over the phone first so you can get back to enjoying your time on the water. Sea Tow is Your Road Service at Sea^®.

Per the Sea Tow Membership Agreement. Check back frequently for current terms. 

Frequently Asked Questions around Maritime Boat Towing Services

Why do boaters choose Sea Tow?

Boaters choose Sea Tow for direct access to professional on-water assistance, including towing and other covered services, along with 24/7 priority service and support from local Sea Tow Captains. Membership gives boaters a plan for unexpected breakdowns, fuel problems, dead batteries, covered ungroundings, and other common on-water issues.

Does Sea Tow provide unlimited towing?

Sea Tow Gold and Lake Card memberships include unlimited towing in the member’s home area with no distance or dollar limits for covered service, subject to the current Membership Agreement and applicable membership terms.

How is Sea Tow different from boat insurance towing?

Sea Tow membership provides direct on-water assistance through Sea Tow’s network for covered services. Boat insurance is primarily designed to protect the boat and the owner’s financial exposure, and any towing benefit may have different providers, limits, claim requirements, or reimbursement rules depending on the policy.

Does Sea Tow help offshore?

Yes. Sea Tow provides offshore assistance for members without a fixed mileage limit. How far a Captain can safely respond depends on factors such as weather and sea conditions, crew availability, fuel capacity, communication, and the specific situation.

Does Sea Tow offer dock-to-dock towing?

Yes. Gold and Lake Card memberships include scheduled dock-to-dock towing for covered vessels from the member’s home dock to a repair facility or haul-out ramp, subject to the current Membership Agreement.

Can Sea Tow help if my boat will not start?

Yes. Sea Tow Captains may be able to troubleshoot the issue by phone or provide on-water assistance such as a jump start, fuel delivery, or towing depending on the cause of the problem, location, conditions, and applicable membership or service terms.

Sea Tow Team

Sea Tow has been the premier leader in on-water boating assistance since 1983. We want to share news, press, tips and all things boating.