When NOAA, The Weather Channel and even the Farmer’s Almanac all agree this summer will be hotter than average, boaters know they will need to prepare for the heat. However, on America’s July 4 holiday weekend – when waterways traditionally experience the most recreational boating traffic of year by volume – boat owners will also need to prepare for the unexpected. The nation’s largest on-water towing service for boaters, TowBoatUS, could see more than 2500 requests for routine assistance over the long weekend, including tows back to a marina or launch ramp, soft ungrounding help, battery jumps or fuel drop-offs.

“The July 4 holiday is the one time a year that nearly every boat owner will try to be out on the water, whether it’s having friends aboard for a beachside BBQ or taking the boat out at night to view a fireworks display,” said BoatUS Towing Services Manager Chris Dolan.

The nationwide TowBoatUS towing fleet of more than 600 red response vessels at more than 300 locations typically sees more than 110,000 requests from boaters for on-water assistance annually. On the July 4 holiday weekend, a spike in calls for on-water assistance is expected to start on the East Coast and cascade westward through U.S. time zones beginning around 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. “That’s about the time the fireworks shows end and a boater realizes their battery is dead, their engine simply won’t start, or they’ve run aground in the dark on a shoal on their way home,” said Dolan.

Interestingly, the TowBoatUS towing fleet is also expected to respond to a spike in requests for dock-to-dock tows, a higher level of service provided under the BoatUS Unlimited Gold Towing membership, after the mayhem. “Dock-to-dock tows are scheduled tows typically for the purpose of repairs, so the Monday after the weekend will likely be busy for us as boat usage was up over the weekend with a corresponding level of unexpected boat issues.”

What should boaters know? “Make sure your boat is ready. Everyone will need be extra patient and go slower, watching wakes, keeping extra lookout and being extra patient at launch ramps and busy thoroughfares, especially after the shows end,” said Dolan. “It’s also important to ensure your towing membership is current,” he adds. “We’re ready to help with a skilled fleet of veteran towboat captains and the equipment to get you home.”

To learn more about BoatUS Unlimited and Gold Membership plans, go to BoatUS.com/Towing.