New owner takes the helm at TowBoatUS Port Isabel

Capt. Angel Ramirez, new owner of TowBoatUS Port Isabel, aboard one of his 24-hour on-water assistance company's response vessels © Scott Croft

Capt. Angel Ramirez, the new owner of TowBoatUS Port Isabel, a 24-hour on-water towing and assistance service for recreational boaters, has been a Port Isabel resident and boater for his entire life. He says his love for the area and his long-time career in the marine industry provided the steppingstones that led him to become a TowBoatUS owner and operator.

In 2000, Ramirez obtained his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License and spent six years working with the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as an outboard boat-repair technician. He went on to open his own repair shop, Laguna Madre Marine, and shortly thereafter jumped on the opportunity to purchase TowBoatUS Port Isabel. "From starting off as a local fishing guide to eventually becoming an outboard boat-repair technician, I've always loved working in the boating industry," said Ramirez. "When the TowBoatUS ownership opportunity came along, I knew it was going to be a natural fit."

Much like an auto club for boaters, BoatUS offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $159 per year. Boaters without BoatUS towing services face costs that average $750 per towing incident, with some paying into the thousands out of pocket.

Ramirez has seen firsthand for many years the problems boaters can run into and says he is eager to become the reliable and well-known safety net for boaters in the area. "The lower Laguna Madre draws a large fishing community that I've seen encounter a number of problems," said Ramirez. "From boats running aground in shallow water a very common issue here to running out of fuel or experiencing mechanical issues, there are lots of opportunities for boaters to become stranded. I want people to take comfort in knowing that TowBoatUS Port Isabel is here to assist any time of day or night should they ever need it."

With nearly 25 years of experience in the marine industry, Ramirez has also developed a close relationship with the Coast Guard. He plans to further develop that working relationship as a new towing company owner to help get boaters home safely.

Ramirez maintains a fleet of three response vessels located at a private dock in Port Isabel ready 24/7 to service boaters in the lower Laguna Madre, the South Bay, and in the Gulf of Mexico. The boats are easily recognizable by their red hulls and TowBoatUS logos emblazoned in bright white letters on their sides, and are rigged for towing, jump-starts, fuel delivery and soft ungroundings.

Boaters can reach TowBoatUS Port Isabel by hailing on VHF channel 16, by calling the company directly at 956-299-1233, by phoning the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, or via smartphone using the BoatUS App. More information can be found at BoatUS.com/Towing, or call 800-888-4869.