Our Company

The Foss story is a quintessential example of the American Dream. It began in Tacoma, Washington, when Thea Foss purchased a used rowboat, painted it crisp white with green trim, and rented it to support her young family. That first success sparked a thriving small-boat business—renting skiffs to fishermen and hunters, ferrying customers, and delivering supplies across local waterways. As demand grew, Thea continued acquiring and building boats, ultimately expanding the fleet to more than 200 rowboats and launches. With her husband Andrew constructing vessels and Thea expanding services, the company soon moved into towing under the name Foss Launch and Tug Company. By 1904, Foss operated 10 launches, a shipyard, and specialized craft, setting the stage for rapid growth during World War I and an acquisition of interests in a Seattle-based towboat company.

After Thea’s passing in 1927, her family carried the business forward for decades, preserving her pioneering spirit—recognized in Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway and echoed in cultural stories like “Tugboat Annie.” Today, the green and white colors of her first rowboat remain on Foss’ powerful, modern fleet operating worldwide.

Founded in 1889, Foss began with a single rowboat and the vision of Norwegian immigrant Thea Foss—an entrepreneurial spirit who turned a modest idea into a world-class maritime enterprise. What started on the waterways of Tacoma has grown into a global operation defined by innovation, determination, and a commitment to service. Today, Foss’ iconic green-and-white fleet stands as a tribute to Thea and Andrew Foss’ enduring legacy and the generations who carried their mission forward.