Restraining Order Placed on Boat U.S.

A new contract was issued by Boat Owners Association of the U.S. (Boat U.S.) restricting its towing operators from also working with other towing associations. Vessel Assist Association of America filed a temporary restraining order against Boat U.S. The order prohibits Boat U.S. from prohibiting any suppliers of towing and assistance services doing business with Vessel Assist from: · Continuing to display any identifying indicia of Vessel Assist · Directly billing or accepting payment from Vessel Assist · Responding to its members "Because it means more business, towing firms generally provide services to all mariners on behalf of any membership towing program," said Dave Peck, of Vessel Assist's Towing Department. However, the new Boat U.S.-Tow Provider contract stated tow firms could not contract to direct bill or accept payment from other membership towing programs. This leaves the mariner forced to pay on the spot for services or be declined by the towing provider. Presently, boat-towing firms are independent companies providing assistance to boaters who - in many cases - have a membership in a towing membership program. Many have agreements with multiple towing membership programs to be a towing provider, similar to the way doctors contract with multiple insurance companies. Vessel Assist argues the new contract from Boat U.S. forces these individual tow firms to restrict their ability to serve boaters, causing damage and potential harm to the boating public.