MILLENNIUM MOMENT

Newport Beach resident David La Montagne started the company Vessel

Assist in 1983 based on a simple idea: Boaters, just like automobile

drivers, sometimes need a tow. La Montagne’s company, which he developed

as part of his senior project at USC, offers boaters a subscription-based

service that they can call if they run out of gas, have mechanical

problems, or run into other minor nautical emergencies.

Vessel Assist is now available nationwide, with boats and members in

almost every state. Membership in the program has quadrupled in the last

decade.

* MILLENNIUM MOMENT celebrates the people who have made a major

contribution to the Newport-Mesa community during this century.