Skip to main content
Marine Press ReleasesPress Releases

Sea Tow® Boston Under New Ownership

By January 12, 2024No Comments

Sea Tow – the nation’s leading on-water marine assistance provider – is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sea Tow Boston by MaassMarine, Inc., owned and operated by Captain Ethan Maass, who is also the owner of Sea Tow South Shore based in Marshfield, MA. With this expansion the number of ports serviced by Captain Maass and team has doubled. Located at 256 Marginal Street, East Boston, MA 02128, Sea Tow Boston’s territory includes Gloucester Harbor, the Marblehead area, Boston Harbor, Quincy, Hingham and Hull.

With nearly 30 years in the marine industry, Captain Maass has owned and operated Sea Tow South Shore, based in Marshfield, MA, since 2004. Sea Tow South Shore is one of the oldest established independently-owned franchise locations in the Sea Tow network and provides professional on-water assistance around Cape Cod Bay from its base in Green Harbor. Captain Maass has received recognition for exemplary business practices including lifesaving and leadership awards.

The new ownership coincides with The Discover Boating® New England Boat Show® taking place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Jan. 10-14, 2024. Sea Tow is exhibiting at booth 104.

While Sea Tow Boston is under new ownership, several former captains will stay on, maintaining their current roles. Continuing with a team that has been successful in its operations for many years will help ensure that customers know they can rely on the same level of exceptional service.

Prior to the acquisition, Sea Tow Boston was owned by brothers David and Steve Winkler for over 30 years. Steve tragically passed away in 2021. In their tenure as Sea Tow owners, the Winkler’s received numerous accolades for their professional operation, as well as their leadership and mentorship throughout the Sea Tow Network and the Marine Assistance Industry, including lifesaving honors, sales and marketing awards and recognition for their outstanding leadership.

“I’m grateful for Steve and David who gave me my start in the industry when I began working for them in in Boston Harbor in 2002,” said Captain Maass. “As I take over the reins at Sea Tow Boston, I look forward to continuing the Winkler’s legacy of top-notch customer service to Boston-area boaters.”

“We are thrilled to have Captain Maass take the helm of Sea Tow Boston,” said Sea Tow CEO Captain Joseph Frohnhoefer III. “With this acquisition, Boston boaters can expect the same level of extraordinary service and can continue to count on Sea Tow for all their towing and salvage needs.”

With a Sea Tow membership, boaters pay one annual rate and receive the most comprehensive member benefits available 24/7/365. Members receive priority service, including free boat towing, dock-to-dock towing on all boats, nationwide coverage, fuel delivery, battery jump starts and exclusive member savings and discounts.

At the forefront of on-water assistance since 1983, Sea Tow marked its 40th anniversary in business in 2023. With more than 500+ ports nationwide including the continental U.S., Alaska and Puerto Rico, Sea Tow is a member-driven, franchise-based business and technological innovation has been a large driver of its evolution and expansion. Having broken barriers in the industry, it is the premier provider of non-emergency on-water assistance, including salvage and recovery services, response to catastrophic events and marine spill response. Sea Tow is “Your Road Service at Sea®.”

For more information about Sea Tow Boston, please visit www.seatow.com/boston.

For more information about Sea Tow, please visit https://seatow.com/.

About Sea Tow Services International, Inc.

Sea Tow Services International Inc., better known as Sea Tow®, has been the innovative and premier leader of on-water assistance since 1983. Servicing the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, members are provided with a 24/7 connection with Coast Guard-licensed captains. The pioneering concept, founded by Captain Joseph Frohnhoefer, was established in Southold, NY when the United States Coast Guard ceased response to non-emergency assistance calls. In 2023, Sea Tow is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of boater assistance, safety, and support. In addition to on-water assistance, the franchise network handles salvage and recovery operations, and responds to natural disasters, environmental hazards and oil spill cleanups. Visit seatow.com to learn more or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Leave a Reply