Sea Tow Services International, Inc. presented awards to Sea Tow franchise owners and their team members for their outstanding service, sales and marketing achievements, community support and more, at the company’s 2025 annual meeting held Nov. 17–20 in Hilton Head, SC.
Highlights of the 2025 Awards include:
Efforts Above and Beyond Awards were presented to captains for their outstanding performance of duty and going above and beyond to assist boaters in need. These included:
- Sea Tow Tampa Bay Captain Stephen Vigilante and Captain Robert Hughes
- Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes Captain Stuart Hamilton
- Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale Captain Thomas Doenig, Captain Jonathan Gebka, General Manager Michele Kerrigan, Captain Jonathan LaPadula and Captain Michael Speck
- Sea Tow Central New Jersey Captains Walt Bohn and Dan Siegel
- Sea Tow Clearwater/Port Richey Captain David Brewer
- Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach and Sea Tow Crystal Coast Captain Seth Thomas and Captain Joshua Ragan
- Sea Tow Lake Norman/Wylie and Sea Tow Lake Kerr/Gaston Captain Jim Gregory
- Sea Tow Rhode Island Captain Nick DelVecchio
- The Public Relations Champion Award, recognizes the franchise that best utilized public relations practices to promote the Sea Tow brand, was presented to Sea Tow Central New Jersey General Manager, Captain Walt Bohn.
- The Brand Champion Award was presented to Captain Kerry Kline of Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes, who embodies the spirit and values of the Sea Tow brand through consistent dedication and passion.
- The Tech Champion Award was awarded to Captain Kerry Kline of Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes, Captain Patrick Lamb of Sea Tow Clearwater/Port Richey and Captain Cameron Macrum of Sea Tow Venice, for their technology-forward approach to business and daily operations, and valuable feedback and engagement with the IT team to help improve Sea Tow systems.
- The Sea Tow Foundation Hero Award, presented to the franchisee who most exemplifies the Sea Tow Foundation’s mission to promote boating safety, was awarded to the owner of Sea Tow Delaware River, Captain Karl Leinheiser.
- The Georgia Frohnhoefer Award, named after Sea Tow’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Georgia Frohnhoefer, honors an outstanding woman in the Sea Tow network each year, was presented to General Manager Michele Kerrigan of Sea Tow Fort Lauderdale.
- The Shipmate Award recognizes franchisees who exemplify the ultimate attitude of teamwork and takes action to put the brand first, and encourages teamwork and patience for the greater good of the Sea Tow network. This year’s award was presented to owner and Captain Ramsey Chason of Sea Tow Rhode Island and Sea Tow Cape and Islands, owner and Captain Patrick Lamb of Sea Tow Clearwater/Port Richey, and owner and Captain John Ward of Sea Tow Destin and Sea Tow Pensacola.
- Sea Tow Rookie of the Year, which recognizes the top-performing new Sea Tow franchise owner, was presented to Captain Keith Hansen of Sea Tow Central Hudson.
- Sea Tow Franchise of the Year, which is awarded to the franchise that best exemplifies Sea Tow’s highstandards of service and operation, was presented to Captain Chris Ward, owner of Sea Tow Islamorada, Sea Tow Lower Keys, and Sea Tow Key West.
“Congratulations to the 2025 award winners for their fantastic achievements,” said Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer. “We are very proud of all our Sea Tow franchisees and their teams, for their continued dedication to the Sea Tow brand, Sea Tow members and the boating community.”
About Sea Tow Services International, Inc.
Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the administrator of the worldwide Sea Tow® membership program and network of Sea Tow franchisees who provide assistance to members. Sea Tow has been the premier leader of on-water assistance for 40+ years. 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. Sea Tow members are provided with a 24/7 connection to Coast Guard-Licensed Captains to assist with their on-water needs. In addition, the franchise network handles salvage and recovery operations, and responds to natural disasters, environmental hazards and oil spill cleanups. Sea Care is Sea Tow’s B2B offering that provides participants the option to include on-water assistance membership with the purchase of a boat, trailer, or engine. Visit seatow.com to learn more or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Boat and engine manufacturers, boat dealers or brokers that are interested in learning more about Sea Care programs should email workwithseatow@seatow.com.
