The explosion of a Department of Fish and Wildlife boat near Four Mile Beach recently emphatically underscores the inherent danger always present when going out to sea. Even the largest boat is but a speck upon the vastness of the ocean. Luckily the explosion, likely caused by an unnoticed fuel leak, resulted in only minor injuries to the two wardens aboard. The boat however was all but sunk, and the while the Coast Guard transported injured parties back for medical treatment, they essentially left the boat smoking where it lay.

Step in our local heroes on the water, Vessel Assist Santa Cruz. A Boat US service provider, Vessel Assist Santa Cruz provides 24/7/365 assistance, towing and salvage services. Boaters from Morro Bay to Pigeon Point rely on us when the need help on the water. With owner Monte Ash as the primary operator, our Vessel Assist now has two powerful towboats available and can respond to boating emergencies at a moment’s notice.

Ash comes by his expertise via submarine service with the US Navy, charter boat operations and working as First Officer on San Francisco Bay aboard the Alcatraz Cruise Ferries. In the recent case of the DFW boat, Ash successfully rescued the craft despite it being totally swamped and upside down for the entire trip back to the Santa Cruz Harbor Vessel Assist Santa Cruz promise to be underway within 15 minutes of an emergency call is no problem for Ash, as he berths his live-aboard cruiser just a few slips away from his pair of rescue boats.

Both 28-foot boats, the original Albin 28 “Jeanie” boasts a comfortable cabin sitting atop a powerful 340 horsepower Cummins diesel marine engine. The second boat in the fleet is christened “Juju, as in “good.” Juju was built as a work boat, and while more Spartan in its amenities, the Juju gets its power from a Caterpillar 3208 pushing 210 HP. Both have rock-solid steel frameworks from which the tow apparatus is mounted directly to the engine frames. Both boats run 600-1000 feet of Amsteel towline, which is flexible but stronger than steel cable of equal diameter.

Vessel Assist memberships are a no-brainer for anyone who uses boats on a regular basis in the ocean. With a yearly member fee around $200, members are assured of immediate response and free towing in most cases. Without this insurance, similar tows can cost up to $1000. Add another $600 if the boat is run aground.

Ash has some harrowing tales to tell, towing boats in that threatened to sink his own boat in 15-foot seas. He also takes a humorous approach to the oft-times serious duties. “Besides being the tow skipper, we often have to serve as mechanic or psychologist for distressed boaters, and even as acting marriage counselor in some critical situations,” Ash recounts.

Memberships are available directly from the Vessel Assist Santa Cruz website, and can also be arranged via West Mjeanniearine outlets, who are in partnership with Boat US.