Capt. Bryan Sloan, Is New Owner Of TowBoatUS Ports

NEEDLES, Calif. -Las Vegas native Bryan Sloan once answered a classified job post for a part-time professional lake patroller. He applied, got the job, and immediately knew that working on the water was his calling.

He next became first-mate, then captain of an 84-foot dinner yacht, and earned his U.S. Coast Guard license. He's since run 100-plus mph twin-hull tour boats on Lake Havasu and most recently was a towing captain with TowBoatUS Lake Mead, helping boaters with on-water troubles. Now the 28-year-old is the owner of TowBoatUS Needles, TowBoatUS Lake Mohave and TowBoatUS Lake Mead, 24-hour on-water towing and assistance service for recreational boaters.

Capt. Sloan said the company's former owner, Capt. Justin Wilde, helped mentor him to eventually own the three TowBoatUS ports. "I'm very thankful for Justin showing me how to successfully run the business. I'm excited for the opportunity," said Sloan.

The company has four red response vessels from 21- to 26-feet stationed at Needles Marina, Katherine Landing Marina and Lake Mead Marina. An additional towboat is kept on a trailer ready to go at a moment's notice, speeding response times in more remote river and lake locations.

Sloan's three TowBoatUS ports are part of a nationwide network of more than 600 response vessels and 300-plus locations that respond to more than 90,000 requests for routine assistance each year. Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers annual on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for freshwater boaters and anglers for just $99 per year.

Towing, ungrounding, battery jumps and fuel drop-offs are all included along with more than 25 BoatUS benefits. Also offered with membership is a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

All captains are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed. Separate from BoatUS on-water towing services, the company offers vessel salvage, dive and environmental remediation services.

The fastest way to request on-water assistance is to download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain. Additionally, all three locations can be reached at 928-788-3700. The BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center is at 800-391-4869.

For more, go to BoatUS.com/Towing or call 800-888-4869.