A long-standing East End family business providing boat service, repair and storage on the tip of Long Island’s North Fork is growing. Douglass Marine, begun half a century ago by Capt. Robert Douglass and his late wife, Patricia, and now owned by his sons, Capts. Adam and Peter Douglass, have expanded their on-water assistance services to officially become a TowBoatUS port, one of 12 helping Long Island Sound boaters 24/7 with on-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services and part of a nationwide network of more than 300 TowBoatUS ports.

TowBoatUS Orient is the latest venture for the Douglass family, who were honored to serve as grand marshals in last summer’s Maritime Festival in Greenport. “My brother and I are proud to continue our family legacy’s helping boaters,” said Adam. “We have their needs covered on land or at sea.”

Adam also offers to assist boaters, especially transients on their summer cruises or those just passing through, with local knowledge. “I’m glad to help out with navigation. I want to ensure a safe journey, so feel free to hail us on VHF or phone,” he said. Nearby Plum Gut is notorious for rough waters, high vessel traffic and great fishing.

Much like an auto club for recreational boat owners, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers on-water Unlimited Towing Memberships for saltwater boaters and anglers for just $175 per year. On-water towing, soft ungrounding, battery jump and fuel drop-off services are included. Membership comes with more than 25 valuable BoatUS benefits, including discounts at local fuel docks and transient slips at marinas. Also included are a subscription to BoatUS Magazine, free DSC-VHF radio registration and more.

TowBoatUS Orient has three red response vessels from 22- to 24-feet, fully rigged for towing and salvage and homeported at Duryea’s Orient Point and Safe Harbor Greenport.

All the company’s captains are U.S. Coast Guard-licensed. Separate from BoatUS towing and membership, the company offers boat salvage services.

To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, call TowBoatUS Orient directly at 631-323-2645, or hail on VHF radio Ch. 16.