Passing of a Friend and Icon

The marine industry is mourning the loss of ground breaking innovator and leader. Captain Joe Frohnhoefer of Sea Tow.

Yesterday, I was saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend and former boss, Captain Joe Frohnhoefer. Captain Joe founded Sea Tow International the boater assistance company. He managed it until his passing. He was known for being an innovator with a great sense of humor and most of all for his generosity. His helping hand was not only present in his hometown of Southold, NY, but also felt nationwide with contributions to schools, hospitals and other needs.

Young Joe Frohnhoefer

Joe started Sea Tow in 1983 as a result of President Ronald Regan ordering that marine commercial assistance no longer be the duty of the United States Coast Guard. Starting with two Privateer boats purchased from a local boat dealer he hit the water. In the years to follow he created the Sea Tow membership program that is still the business model for commercial assistance firms today. In 1999 he took the company to a new level expanding to international markets such as Australia and locations in Europe.

Over the 10 years I worked for him I had the privilege of staying at his home on my frequent visits to the corporate office. His home became a second home for me thanks to both Captain Joe and his wonderful wife Georgia. They always treated me like family and the fond memories made during those visits will always be with me. For me, Captain Joe was much more than a boss. He was a friend. Over the years we enjoyed playing a constant stream of practical jokes on each other. Once I convinced a Sea Tow employee in the IT department to change the screen saver on Joe’s computer with pictures of me that I would send her. Each time they were changed, Joe would go into a good natured rage. To this day he never figured out how I did it. I once placed a full size confederate flag out of the window of his Long Island, NY office. He just laughed and let it stay there for the rest of the day.

Most of all Joe was the most generous person I have ever known. This was best seen in his local community with his financial contributions to schools and medical needs. It was also seen with his love for veterans. Every year at the Founder’s Day parade, Joe would hook his trailer up to his truck, put chairs on the trailer and attach American flags. He would then have the proud veterans from past wars ride in the parade on his flag draped trailer. This was an event that I also had the privilege to be a part of. Personally, his generosity towards me and my family was both continuous and astounding. It enabled me to buy my first home and gave me the experience and knowledge that I would later use to start my own business.

In closing, Captain Joe was not afraid to take a chance and ride it out. Many times he did things no one else would dare do. He was able to see the potential in things that most of us never are able to see. He did this when he started what is now the world’s largest boater assistance company (Sea Tow). He also did it when he hired a 43 year charter boat captain that only had a high school education and ultimately made him the Vice President of his company. The day he hired me, he did for me what he had done for many others before me and after me……he changed our lives forever!

I’ll Miss You Boss and Thanks For Everything