Pictured: the Western Navigator Photo by: Kyle Stubbs

Founded in 1948, by Robert Shrewsbury as the Western Towboat Company. The company is based in Queen Anne, Washington. The company began with a small, single screw tug named the N.D. Tobey. With, Robert Shrewsbury acting as his own Business Agent, Captain, as well as an engineer.

In 1982, the company began constructing their own vessels in their Seattle, Washington yard. Modernizing the company's equipment, that was custom designed, built and, operated by the Western Towboat Company

Shrewsbury maintained a “hands on“ approach to operating the company. With that philosophy in mind, the Western Towboat Company grew to a fleet of nineteen tugs and five barges. Although, Robert Shrewsbury retired. His sons Robert Shrewsbury Jr. and Ric Shrewsbury continued to maintain the family, owned and, operated Company.

In 2015, Captain Ric Shrewsbury retired. Leaving the company in the hands of his brother Robert Shrewsbury Jr. And, his sons Russel Shrewsbury, and Ross Shrewsbury.