For the past eight years when recreational boats have broken down on Lake Pleasant - 300 of them last year alone - the red response boat of Vessel Assist Lake Pleasant has been there to help boaters safely return to the launch ramp. Now the 24-hour on water towing and assistance service has a new name: TowBoatUS Lake Pleasant.

The move to rename Vessel Assist to TowBoatUS - with locations in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and British Columbia, Canada - recognizes TowBoatUS's standing as North America's largest provider of on water assistance with over 300 locations and 600 towing response vessels.

Having an annual TowBoatUS Unlimited Freshwater towing membership for just $72 includes 24/7 service not only on Lake Pleasant but also at Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, the Colorado River, and hundreds of other locations.

"One price provides you service from the biggest on-water towing fleet in America," said owner Capt. Ross Baker. "It's often not a matter of if, but when you'll have the need for on water assistance."

Nationwide, TowBoatUS receives over 70,000 requests from boat owners needing routine help - battery jumps, fuel drop offs, soft ungroundings and tows home. Added Baker, "Having our Unlimited Freshwater towing membership plan is $72 a year, which is $6 a month for 24-hour service with no deductibles. Anglers and boaters will never have to ask a friend to spend hours to come up to the lake, search to find you, and bring you safely back to the ramp."

AT LAKE PLEASANT -- Capt. Ross Baker is shown aboard his TowBoatUS response vessel.

Other than the name change on the side of the boat, boaters will still see the same familiar BoatUS buoy logo on the hull and our professional captains at the helm. Capt. Baker's 23-foot response vessel is fully equipped for towing and salvage with dewatering pumps, dive gear, lift bags, towing gear, battery jump packs and extra fuel.

All BoatUS towing membership plans are good for any boat you own, rent or borrow and include a range of discounts and a subscription to BoatUS Magazine. Without a towing plan, boaters face costs that average over $700 per incident nationally.

To contact TowBoatUS Lake Pleasant, call 623-261-3662 or dial BoatUS 24-hour towing dispatch at 800-391-4869.