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A towing boat is your salvation on the water when the engine quits, you get stuck or cannot safely return to the water in severe weather. This service ensures that your boat is towed to a marina or boatyard quickly, safely and professionally. Want to know more about exactly how a towing service works, what it costs and whether you will be helped even without a membership? Then read on and find out what to expect the moment you unexpectedly get stuck on the water.

Summary in Brief:

• Towing services are available for both pleasure and commercial shipping, even without a subscription
• Cost depends on distance, type of boat and time of notification
• Speed, transparency and accessibility are crucial factors in choosing a provider

Why choose a towing service for your boat?

A boat towing service is not an unnecessary luxury, but a reassurance for every boat owner. Boating means freedom, but breakdowns often come unexpectedly. Especially on open water, it is difficult to get help quickly, especially if you are not affiliated with an association or helpline.

Engine failure

When your engine fails or you find yourself in a turbulent situation, quick support can make the difference between keeping control or depending entirely on luck. A towing service prevents you from unnecessary risk and ensures that you and your boat get home safely.

What does a towing service for your boat cost?

The price of a towing service depends on several factors. Consider the distance from your location, the type and weight of your boat, the complexity of the situation and whether it is an emergency on weekends or at night. Many providers allow you to choose from a variety of subscriptions. Choose the subscription that suits you best. With Vaarzeker, for example, you start with just roadside assistance, but you can also increase your subscription, giving you several perks.

How does a boat towing service work?

Anyone stalled on the water wants more than anything for help to be on the scene quickly. Most towing services work with a standard protocol to ensure efficient response. Once you report a breakdown, your position is determined from GPS coordinates or a description of your location. The service provider assesses the situation and gives a price indication, unless you already have a subscription.

If you agree, the tug sails out and they safely attach to your vessel. Depending on the circumstances, you will then be taken to the nearest port, a wharf or your berth. Professional towing services work with well-trained crew and proper equipment, so your vessel is safely towed without additional damage.

What are the benefits for ports and businesses?

Towing services are not only a godsend for pleasure boaters. They are also an essential link for ports, yacht charterers and maritime logistics. Incidents in busy ports or during stormy weather require quick action, without depending on in-house resources or improvisation. The benefits for business users are significant:

• Quick handling of incidents prevents delays or inconvenience
• Flexible contract forms allow scaling up and down at peak times
• A regular contact person ensures short lines of communication and clear communication
• Reporting and billing are aligned with professional requirements

With a reliable towing service by your side, you prevent reputation damage, increase safety and offer your customers or users security on the water.

When is a towing service not necessary?

While a tow is the best option in many cases, there are also times when you may be able to act on your own. If you are close to shore, the water is calm and you have sufficient experience and materials, sometimes you can safely dock on your own or with the help of another boat owner.

Is self towing responsible?

Nevertheless, it is important to assess whether this is responsible. Towing without knowledge or suitable equipment can lead to damage to hull, engine or rigging. Moreover, in many cases you are not insured if you opt for a do-it-yourself solution outside the terms of your policy.

Especially in poor weather conditions or unfamiliar sailing areas, a professional service remains the safest choice.

What can you do to avoid surprises?

Those who go out on the water prepared avoid unpleasant financial or practical surprises. A few smart measures can save a lot of misery. Look at the points below to avoid surprises:

• Check whether your boat insurance covers towing services and under what conditions
• Save the phone number of an authorized towing service in your sailing area
• When in doubt, always ask for a price indication or confirmation by email in advance
• Choose a service provider that works with fixed terms and clear communication
• Consider a seasonal contract if you sail more frequently or in high-risk areas

Good preparation makes the difference between stress and control in an unexpected situation.

Enlist towing service for your boat?

A towing service for your boat is more than a practical solution to engine trouble. It is a safety net for both recreational sailors and professionals on the water. Whether you sail in the Randmeren, the IJsselmeer At Vaarzeker we are always there for you. View our subscriptions and choose the subscription that suits you best. Before choosing the subscription, look at the coverage area. Do you have questions about our towing service? Please feel free to contact with us.

A boiler connecting to the boat is easier than you think, as long as you know what to look out for. With the right roadmap, you can safely connect a water heater to your engine and shore power so you'll always have hot water on board. Whether you want to shower, wash dishes or just want a little comfort on the water: a properly connected water heater makes all the difference. Want to know where to start and how to avoid mistakes? Then read on quickly and find out for yourself.

A boat launch with trailer doesn't have to be a stressful time. Whether you're driving up the ramp for the first time or trailer yourself more often with the right preparation and techniques, you'll maintain control and prevent damage to your boat trailer or car. In this blog you'll learn how to safely efficiently and more confidently get your boat in the water, even if you're alone. If you want to know exactly what to check beforehand and how best to get your boat in the water read on and find out for yourself.

The cleaning the water tank of your boat you can easily do yourself by first draining the tank, then adding a suitable cleaner such as chlorine or citric acid, letting it soak for a few hours and then rinsing thoroughly. Want more information about cleaning your water tank on the boat? Then be sure to read on for a practical step-by-step plan and eco-friendly options.

Boating areas in the Netherlands are specially designated areas where you can go faster than the usual 20 mph with a fast motorboat or jet ski. However, these areas are limited and strictly regulated. Want to know exactly where you can go fast, how to calculate your speed and what fines you can face? Then be sure to read on.

Boat breakdown assistance is essential when you stall due to engine problems, a dead battery or running out of fuel. It ensures that you can continue sailing quickly, safely and without stress. Whether you only go out on the water on weekends, rent out your boat or have children on board, immediate help is not a luxury. Want more information on how boat breakdown assistance works and what to look out for? Then be sure to read on.

Do you want to get your get sailing license And get on the water fast? In this blog, we answer your most important questions right away: how much it costs, how long it takes, and how to pass efficiently. Getting a boating license is achievable for everyone, provided you know what you're doing. Read on and find out exactly how you can get your boating license in no time.

Do you suffer from a rapidly draining battery or does your boat engine start poorly? Chances are your boat battery needs replacement. Boat batteries do not have an infinite lifespan: over time the capacity decreases and dangerous situations can arise, such as gas formation (H₂S), recognizable by a rotten-egg smell.

At Vaarzeker, you can easily and quickly purchase your boat battery replacement on site - throughout the Netherlands.

Applying antifouling is essential to protect your boat from fouling by algae, mussels and other organisms. It allows your vessel to glide smoothly through the water and reduces fuel consumption. Applying antifouling requires careful preparation and execution. In this blog you will read step by step how best to go about it.

A properly functioning impeller is essential for cooling your boat engine. Timely impeller replacement prevents overheating and costly repairs. Fortunately, replacing an impeller is a job you can do yourself with proper instructions. Want to know more about impeller replacement? Then be sure to read on.

Engine trouble on the water is not only annoying, it can also be dangerous. You're often in a place where you can't just call emergency services or have a mechanic come by. This guide will tell you what the most common causes of engine trouble on a boat are, what to do if your engine fails, and how to prevent this type of breakdown.

Does the engine not start after the tank is empty, or do you have dirty filters? Then the diesel engine needs to be bled. With this simple step-by-step plan, you'll succeed too!

Your boat is a precious and often treasured possession. But most of the time your boat lies, unattended, in the harbor. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly and safely moor your boat so that it does not get damaged in the various weather conditions. In addition, mooring the boat without causing damage is difficult, especially for novice boaters. Pay attention to these steps to avoid getting into trouble.

To enjoy your outboard motor for a long time carefree, and proper maintenance is essential. In this article we will share our experiences, giving tips and advice on how to take the best care of this yourself.

The weather is nice, the drinks are cold, time to go boating! But now your boat's outboard motor won't start. That sucks! In this article, we give some tips to check, and a few solutions.

Since October 2019, gas stations in the Netherlands are often required to sell E10 gasoline as euro 95. This gasoline contains up to 10% of bioethanol. This affects your outboard motor.

As a water country, the Netherlands is full of bridges and locks. It is estimated that there are about 8,000 movable bridges and more than 2,000 locks. So when you sail your boat through the Netherlands, you will often pass bridges and locks. And that remains a stress point for many boaters. With these tips, we hope to make things easier for you.

Do you smell the smell of rotten eggs on board? Then disembark immediately, it is life-threatening!

When is wearing a life jacket mandatory? We figured that out for you!

Using a life jacket is wise. Pick a vest that fits your situation and pay attention to these things.

At broadcaster Flevoland, we also called attention to the increasing nuisance caused by pondweed.

2022 looks set to be a bad year as far as nuisance from aquatic plants on the Markermeer, IJmeer and Randmeren lakes is concerned. Already many boats are getting into trouble, and the peak is not yet in sight.

Many people with a boat run into engine problems sooner or later. This is annoying, but we have some explanations and tips to prevent and solve it.

The VHF channels in the IJsselmeer are listed below. Through this VHF radio you make contact quickly and effectively.

In the winter of 2021-2022, a triple storm passed over the Netherlands for the first time in history. 6 days of storm in a row, that never happened before. But how much wind is actually too much wind to sail out?

What exactly is AIS, and does it offer added value for pleasure boating? In this article, we explain what AIS is and is not, and its advantages and disadvantages.

A radar can be a useful addition to the systems on a pleasure yacht. But what exactly should you consider? We explain the pros and cons here.

When there are starting problems due to a dead battery, or the equipment fails, it is a good idea to check the operation of the alternator. In this article, we provide tips that most people can use to check a few things themselves.

At what age can you drive a boat? Here we have listed ages.

Outboard engines have an open cooling system. Check operation regularly and watch for water from the indicator jet.

What does port and starboard mean and what is the difference? We explain it here.

If you have some technical knowledge, winterizing your boat is perfectly doable. However, there are things you should pay attention to. We tell you our experiences

Fines for misdemeanors and felonies on the water do not dwarf fines on land with a motor vehicle, for example. Here is an overview of the 2021 fine amounts.

Sailing in the fog can be quite dangerous and scary. In autumn, as well as in spring, when the difference in temperature between air and water is great, fog often occurs on the water. Fog on the water makes boating complicated and a lot riskier. This is because you can see a lot less. Accidents happen every year in the fog, both in recreational and well-equipped commercial shipping.

For years the nuisance of seaweed on the Markermeer and Randmeren lakes has been an issue. It causes nuisance for water sportsmen and people speak of a real plague. At present, the nuisance is greater on parts of the Markermeer than on other waters.

Boating rules on the water, for many people it is not always clear how they work. Read a brief summary of the most important rules here, so that you are well prepared to set out.

Every boater wants a safe and fun boating experience, however, not everyone is always aware of all the rules and procedures on the water. In this blog, we cover the small boat license 1+2 so you know exactly when a license is required, what waters require which license, and how to get the license.

From May 1, 2021, Vaarzeker and Barqo will cooperate in the field of roadside assistance. Barqo is the Dutch platform to rent and hire boats. Vaarzeker offers a total solution for boat breakdown assistance. From now on, Barqo customers can count on the technical support of Vaarzeker's mechanics when the rented boat shows defects without delay.

As of August 17, 2020, the Coast Guard stopped organizing assistance for vessels not in distress, such as roadside assistance. This will allow the Coast Guard to focus on urgent matters. From now on, boaters are responsible for organizing their own assistance in non-emergency cases. Vaarzeker is the party for this. With nationwide coverage, even on inland waterways where no other organized parties are active, Vaarzeker is a good choice. So take out a subscription so you know which party to contact and what it will cost: nothing at all.

In a series of blogs, Vaarzeker tries to make common problems understandable, describe causes and offer a possible solution. In this case, we cover fuel supply problems. If the engine does not start, chances are it is due to lack of fuel.

Vaarzeker is the emergency service on the water. We have a solution for every problem.

In a series of blogs, Vaarzeker tries to make common problems understandable, describe causes and offer a possible solution. In this case, we cover problems with the electrical system. A common problem is a dead battery, after which the engine will no longer start. Look for the other blogs in the overview.

In a series of blogs, Vaarzeker tries to make common problems understandable, describe causes and offer a possible solution. In this case, we cover cooling water problems, one of the common problems we find.

Lines, nets, weed or debris in the propeller. It reduces the operation of the propeller or renders it completely unusable. The engine suddenly stops while turning. Then restarting is still possible, but as soon as the reverse gear is put into forward or reverse, the engine stalls. It is an annoying problem when you are on open water. We can bring you in and also make the propeller ready for use again.

The use of gas on your pleasure yacht is often unavoidable on longer trips. It can be safe with proper precautions, which are extremely important. Unfortunately, every year there are incidents where mariners are injured or even killed due to improper use of gas or heaters. We have listed below some points of interest that make using these devices a lot safer.