If your vessel is disabled, stuck near docks, or drifting toward danger, the fastest path to the right outcome is helping dispatch choose the correct marine method—marine towing versus recovery/salvage. Determination Marine is based in Portland, Maine and is listed in the Light Duty Towing category, with a focus on moving disabled vessels safely and supporting recovery scenarios when a vessel is in peril.
The prompts below are designed for real dispatch situations—towing, roadside assistance, flatbed/winch-style recovery staging, and the kind of decisions crews make when the boat’s condition changes what equipment is appropriate.
Lead with the condition that determines tow vs. recovery
Start your call by describing what the vessel is doing right now. The goal is to let the operator classify your situation early:
Marine towing language: use this when the vessel is disabled but still afloat and can be stabilized for a safe tow route.
Salvage/recovery language: switch to this when the vessel is sunken, on the rocks, underwater, or full of water—situations where refloating/de-watering expectations can change the plan.
Describe positioning so the crew can stage safely
Towing and recovery both depend on access. Share what you can without guessing:
Tell dispatch whether the vessel is moored, beached, at anchor, or taking on water, and how it’s positioned relative to safe landing/approach points.
If you can safely do so, include whether there are obstacles that could affect staging—lines, dock edges, pilings, or nearby structures—because these can influence whether the job is handled as a straightforward tow or needs a more controlled recovery workflow.
Include “scene risk” details that affect urgency
Let the operator know if there’s immediate danger (for example, drifting toward hazards or unstable conditions). Those details help dispatch prioritize the response plan and timing.
Give vessel details that affect equipment choice
Dispatch can’t finalize the approach without load and handling constraints. When you call, provide:
Vessel size and identification: make/model and approximate length (or size if you don’t know the exact model).
Whether propulsion can assist: tell them if the engine can run and whether the propeller is intact, and mention any steering issues—even if they seem minor.
Behavior in the water: drifting, listing, rolling, or settling. If you see water intrusion, state it plainly so recovery needs aren’t underestimated.
Explain what “disabled” means in your case
If you’ve already attempted restart/attempts, describe the result. The more accurately you communicate what’s happening, the easier it is for dispatch to decide between towing, winching-type recovery staging, or salvage-style response.
Share destination facts without turning the call into a back-and-forth
Once dispatch understands the vessel’s condition and constraints, provide where it needs to go. A port, marina, or repair location may have gate rules or receiving windows, so it helps to include the port/marina name and any relevant dock or berth notes.
If the receiving location is closed when the vessel will arrive, ask what contingency they recommend. That single detail can prevent delays later.
Use Determination Marine’s listed contact details for a dispatch-ready call
If you need to reach Determination Marine in Portland, Maine, the listed contact details include phone +1 207-352-9000. Their official website is listed as http://www.determinationmarine.com/, and the office address is 36 Union Wharf Suite 15, Portland, ME 04101, United States. The listing also shows a 5.0 rating from 2 reviewers—useful context, while you still focus on giving dispatch the right scene details.
When you call, remember the core rule: towing fits disabled-but-stable situations, while recovery is for vessels in peril. If you can describe stability, access, and what the vessel is doing now, you’ll help the operator choose the safest marine method faster—whether that ends in a tow to port or a more controlled recovery approach.
