|
Sea Tow International Sea Tow Benefits Frequently Asked Questions Join Sea Tow Our Service Area About Us Sea Tow A. C. News Sea Tow Advantage Club Mustang Survival Apparel Events Marina List Weather & Tides Tide Runner Marine Inc. North Tides Marine Links Recreational Fishing Alliance U.S. Coast Guard Rutgers University Research (c)2001 Atlantic City Sea Tow - "Sea Tow" words and logos are registered trademarks of Sea Tow Services International, Inc., and licensed to Sea Tow Atlantic City - Use is by permission only. All rights are hereby expressly reserved. |
    |
Sea Tow Atlantic City featured cover story in the Winter, 2002 Lifelines MagazineCapt. John and Sandy have worked hard over the past six years to create the best staff possible. With that in mind they have woven their staff with both family members and talented, well-trained personnel. Sandy, a full time 3rd grade school teacher for over ten years, plays an important part. When class is out, Sandy finds herself in the middle of the Sea Tow Atlantic City operation on a daily basis. During the summer vacation months, when most teachers are on vacation, Sandy puts in long hours. John comments that "Sandy is a real driving force in the business and steps in to take part by doing anything from manning radios to the everyday management," not to mention raising a family with two sons, Eric and Adam. eric, 19 years old, is a staff captain and works full time for Sea Tow Atlantic City. John says Eric has a real love and talent for the business, having passed his United States Coast Guard 100-ton license test at age 18. Adam at age 15 may soon follow in the family tradition. The Sea Tow Atlantic City day-to-day operation is a busy one with seven boats to staff and maintain, not to mention 3,000 members to service. In addition, John and Sandy's operation has now expanded into the operation of crew boats for large national marine construction companies. Commercial contracts are earned with the same strategy as earning Sea Tow members, professionalism and service. The operation's fleet of seven boats range from 17' Boston Whalers to his 48' Nuvell crew boat. Sea Tow Atlantic City is involved in many different projects. Some are scheduled ahead of time and some are emergency situations. In both cases, Sea Tow Atlantic City is ready to assist. Most recently, their vessel Sea Tow Cape Hatteras has been helping to take debris off of Manhattan from the World Trade Center tragedy. It is a 24-hour a day project with Captain Nick Maraino in charge of setting up crews to man the boat. One of the most amazing experiences for John and Sandy was this year's Atlantic City Around The Island Swim. This 26-mile swim around Atlantic City Island draws participants from around the world. As part of the event this year, 6 physically challenged athletes participated. Sea Tow Atlantic City supplied three boats that escorted the team on their 26-mile swim. It was amazing to see the athlete's courage and determination to finish the race and work together as a team. Sea Tow Atlantic City also recently assisted the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to rescue a leatherback sea turtle. The leatherback, approximately 5 feet long and weighing 600 to 700 pounds, had gotten entangled in fishing gear about three miles off Atlantic City. Racing against time to rescue the turtle before the tide rose, Sea Tow transported Jay Pagel, the centers technician, to the turtle. One Sunday morning, Capt. John received a call from the Ocean Life Center Marine Aquarium in Atlantic City. The pumping system for their aquarium had malfunctioned and they were frantic. The salt-water tanks were loosing water fast. Sea Tow Atlantic City quickly arrived at the scene with several boats and 2" and 3" dewatering pumps. While the Aquarium's staff worked to make repairs, Capt. John and his crew started pumping water from the bay into the tanks. Their quick thinking and response were successful and resulted in the saving of the marine life in the Aquarium. Sea Tow Atlantic City is involved in the "Cable car Job." Old cable cars (subway cars) from the State of New York are being dropped into the water off of delaware to create an artificial reef site. The artificial reef will provide a breeding ground and home for fish as well as a dive location for recreational divers. Sea Tow Atlantic City run crews out to a barge once a week to push the cars off of the barge and into the water. As a member of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), Capt. John feels proud to participate in the project. He feels that this project will allow future generations to continue to enjoy recreational fishing. One of the most unusual requests for member assistance occurred last fall from a Sea Tow member sailing south down the IWC for the winter. The member was moored off of Atlantic City. Weather and sea conditions had been terrible for days and the member had been unable to get ashore with his dinghy. The member was traveling with his Golden Retriever and the dog was ill and refused to "go" on the boat. Capt. John transported the member and his dong to shore, where the excited dog promptly did his "business." Capt. John and Sandy's business philosophy is simply to maintain a strict focus on customer service and care with a big measure of professionalism added as well. Capt. John says "People like doing business with us because of our people. I constantly hear our commercial customers and everyday recreational boaters comment on how professional and courteous our people are. It's a part of the business we plan to maintain and even improve". Capt. John sums up that "Our success comes from the dedication of our employees and the support of Sea Tow services International." |