Named after the Caribbean island where he was born, Dominique Smith's life has been rooted in ocean towing from the very beginning. At just four months old, he embarked on his first voyage, traveling aboard a tug towing on the Amazon River to Manaus, Brazil. Raised and homeschooled aboard ocean-going tugboats, he spent his childhood working alongside his family on vessels operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and beyond.

From an early age, Dominique took on increasing responsibility at sea. At fourteen, he assumed responsibility for the engine room during a major storm after the chief engineer became unable to perform his duties. By sixteen, he had earned the position of Chief Engineer, later advancing to the wheelhouse and obtaining his U.S. Master's license as soon as he became eligible. At just twenty-three, he completed his first transatlantic voyage as Master of the ELSBETH II, towing a disabled cargo ship from Venezuela to France. Over the course of his maritime career, he has commanded complex towing projects involving aircraft carriers, submarines, offshore rigs, double tows, and numerous salvage and rescue operations.

In 2000, Dominique joined McAllister Towing as General Manager and Vice President of its Baltimore division before returning to his family's company as Fleet Manager and Vice President, overseeing worldwide operations for a fleet of ocean-going tugs and barges.

In 2005, Dominique co-founded TradeWinds Towing and served as captain aboard the company's first tug during its formative years. Today, as sole owner and President, he leads a fleet of seven ocean-going tugboats serving clients throughout the maritime industry. His decades of hands-on experience—both at sea and ashore—continue to shape TradeWinds' commitment to safety, operational excellence, and thoughtful project planning. Dominique remains actively involved in evaluating equipment, visiting project sites, and ensuring every operation is approached with the preparation and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of the company.