Vessel Assist San Francisco Bay and Delta, an on-the-water towing company for area boaters, has taken delivery of a new custom-built 27' rigid aluminum inflatable vessel (RAIV). The rugged towing response boat built to commercial standards was acquired for its high-speed patrol and rough weather handling capabilities and is powered by twin 225 HP Honda four-stroke engines.

Towboats located in busy waterways such as the San Francisco Bay see a lot of action, which also means heavy wear and tear on the vessels. According to Capt. Phil Delano, co-owner of Vessel Assist San Francisco Bay and Delta, that's what prompted the purchase of the new 27' RAIV. "We retired one of our older vessels last fall and needed a replacement that would not only meet our future needs but reflect our professionalism that our customers have come to expect from us. We'll be able to reach stranded mariners in a shorter period of time and unlike fiberglass towboats, its soft inflatable sides will allow us to move in close without damaging either vessel, especially when we're working in rough conditions," he continued.

"The RAIV is outfitted with an impressive list of equipment," Delano adds. Onboard are two VHF radios, VHF direction finder, 12-inch color GPS chart plotter, cell phone amplifier, two remote operated spotlights, and a 48-mile radar. Vessel Assist towboats carry a complement of towing and salvage equipment such as battery "jump packs," extra fuel and de-watering pumps.

Similar to a roadside auto club, BoatU.S. offers on-the-water assistance plans starting at around $37 a year. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that nationally average $600 per incident. Boaters in need of towing assistance can reach Vessel Assist San Francisco Bay and Delta by calling directly, 925-382-4422; by VHF radio, channel 16; or through BoatU.S. toll-free Dispatch Service at 800-391-4869 or visit www.BoatUS.com/Towing for more information.