When the Tellico Boaters Response Team (T-BART) first got its sea legs a quarter century ago, volunteers used their own personal watercraft as tow boats. That then shifted into old or used boats acquired with donations.

Now, they have three new boats at their disposal to help in aid to Tellico Village residents and other lake users at no expense.

“We’ve never bought a brand-new boat in our 25-year history,” said Jeff Rauch, the group’s public relations director.


The trio of new vessels, acquired back in March, will be stationed at various locations around Tellico Lake: one at Rarity Bay, another in Kahite and the third at Tellico Village.

Unlike past watercraft, whether already used or donated, the three new models are all the same. They make up a fleet of 23-foot Carolina Skiff LS 23 boats, powered by Yamaha 175 HP four-stroke engines.

The vehicles come equipped with custom tow and light bars, with the current Man Overboard (MOB) tools on the old vessels being relocated to these new ones. The Optimus system and new radio equipment will also be provided … with local vendors providing other equipment as needed.

MORE THAN A ‘STYLE’ UPGRADE

Rauch says the uniformity among the new rides will provide much more than a mere style upgrade.

“One of the mandates we had moving forward is that our volunteers, regardless of which boat they needed to deploy to for service, will be looking at the same boat each time,” Rauch said. “Because each boat handles differently, especially aging boats.”

With the proper maintenance, Jim Riley, the group’s President, says the new boats are projected to last anywhere from 20 to 25 years. A self-prescribed financially frugal group, they thank a number of different organizations for getting them to the point of making this kind of purchase.

Past and present members, donations from the boating community in Tellico Lake, Loudon County Commission (with funds from the American Rescue Fund), Carolina Skiffs’ corporate sponsorship and a number of other organizations that have helped propel T-BART forward over the years are all to thank.

With now 160 men and women volunteering their services, TBART’s main mission has remained being able to provide non-medical, non-emergency services to boaters on Tellico Lake. Thankfully, the dial number for T-BART is the same as the one you’d dial for an actual emergency: 911.

“What we’re doing is freeing up first responders,” Rauch said. “… Important government services that don’t need to be used in these situations.”

AAA ON THE LAKE

In 2024, the group put up impressive numbers.

Of 215 total assistance tows, they managed to achieve 85 normal tows, 44 courtesy tows and 21 debris tows between three primary boats and one for special response. Rauch says that, roughly estimating, the group has conducted more than 1,500 tows since its inception in 2000.

Most of the calls these good Samaritans respond to are in line with a AAA on the lake. … Dead batteries, running out of gas or any other miscellaneous technical aspect of a day on the lake that could go wrong and they’re ready to answer the call at a moment’s notice.

That previous statement has become far more literal in recent months, too. This is the first year — 2025 — that T-BART is offering around-the-clock services, rather than the previous daylight hours only model they had been under for the previous 24 years.

Once the call has been made, the problem identified and the boat located using the originating latitude and longitude of the call, responders can then roll out and tow the boat to wherever it is the boater or boaters need to go: A gas pump, home dock, whatever location is necessary to keep boaters safe.

All of T-BART’s services are free of charge, their funding solely coming from donations and volunteer hours. The group has no employees, and no payroll for their members.

PRO BONO GUARDIAN ANGELS

Individual donations are where it started, but now T-BART’s fame has gained the local organization some big-name sponsors as their reputation continues to grow. Yamaha, Food Lion, Tellico Realty, Rarity Bay, Madisonville Marine, Marine Specialists and TN Luxury Coaches are now all generous sponsors for their efforts.

These pro bono guardian angels also provide educational services to new Villagers and inexperienced boaters, as well. Three to four times a year, the group will host a Tellico Lake Orientation Seminar, where they talk about lake hazards, points of interest and even sell maps that detail every nook and cranny from the 321 Bridge all the way down to the Chilhowee Dam.

The class covers rock patterns and spots to keep an eye on. Rauch explained that a rudimentary knowledge of those obstructions is crucial for a safe boating experience.

“It’s really eye opening to see rocks that are a foot under the water — if you were to hit them, your boat is not going to be the same,” he said.

This year, they’ve already had three-hour orientation sessions, and three more are planned for the season. These sessions provided not only for Villagers, but other various communities that sit lakeside as well.

Those dates and times are:

• Saturday April 12, 2025, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Yacht Club of Tellico Village

• Saturday May 24, 2025, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Kahite Community Center

• Saturday July 12, 2025, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Rarity Bay

MEMBER APPLICATION

When it comes to member application, the process is fairly straightforward, though T-BART does seek out volunteers who are committed to the cause and willing to give up some nights and weekends to be on duty. After a few hours of training, the crew puts new members under a “mentor,” which everyone is required to have for their first year in the group.

While some of the policies and procedures can be strict, President Riley said it’s intended to keep the standard that they’ve been cultivating for the entirety of the group’s lifespan.

“We’ve operated 25 years with no injuries and no accidents,” Riley said. “And we’re shooting for another 25.”

Their services aren’t just rendered useful for permanent residents either. Guests of these boaters can acquire life jackets at one of eight locations T-BART has set up around the lake — intended for one-time use as loaned equipment.

They also provide support to first responders in the area through their Night and Special Services Team. The subgroup handles night tows, emergency response and assistance to potential accidents. While they aren’t first responders themselves, T-BART has the resources and manpower to help those specialists navigate and identify potential accidents and injuries.

The unique nature of Tellico Lake and its surrounding community is the diverse demographic that populates the shoreline. A group of mostly retired, fairly inexperienced boaters makes TBART’s services crucial to the people who use its services. Education, safety and a helping hand can go a long way when it comes to navigating these waterways.

“You continue to see a large percentage of people moving here, and it’s always people new to the lake,” Riley said. “And a high percentage are brand new to boating. So, if they’ve never owned a boat before and put them out here on this 15,500-acre lake and say ‘have a good time,’ you’d be surprised how much trouble some of them can get in.”

T-BART will be celebrating their milestones as boating season “officially” kicks off at this year’s annual BRATFEST Fundraiser from 3:30 to 7 p.m. the first Monday in May — May 12. Riley said they’re anticipating anywhere from 900 to 1,000 attendees.

For $25, their primary fundraiser provides an all-you-can-eat-and-drink festivity with raffle tickets available for every attendee. Beer, brats, sides and prizes all going toward boater safety and training.

This will also be the first year the group has a live band, weather permitting, as well as other activities Rauch and Riley say people will get excited about.

For more information on T-BART — how to join and their services and events — visit t-bart.org.