Small Job, Steady Professionalism

By George L. Nitti What looked like a simple call turned into a test of precision for Jimmy Smith, owner of Advanced Towing in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. He was dispatched to remove a Nissan that had been parked in the wrong spot at a ferry terminal, blocking access for a fuel truck.

“At first glance it wasn’t anything major,” Smith said. “But the way the car was positioned made it tricky. I had to be really careful with the plastic trim along the door. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can damage it, and then you’re responsible.”

Smith pulled out a snatch block, secured the wheels, and set up dollies. What could have been a quick hook and pull turned into a 20-minute job. “I had to kind of swing around, do a little 360, and line it up just right,” he explained. “It took me a couple tries to get it perfect without blocking the whole parking lot.”

The car, belonging to tourists who later admitted they hadn’t seen the “No Parking” sign, was taken to Advanced Towing’s storage lot. “They were sad, but they said it was their mistake,” Smith said.

For Smith, protecting the customer’s vehicle is always priority number one. “I tell my drivers, think of it as your own car,” he said. “You don’t want it scratched, dented, or with a broken light. That’s my main concern—doing it right.”

Smith’s company runs a mixed fleet that includes two flatbeds, a Freightliner, a Sterling 14-ton wrecker, and the smaller Vulcan unit he used for this call. Each truck is suited for different jobs, from routine parking lot removals to heavy-duty recoveries.

Beyond equipment, Smith stresses professionalism. “I always tell the younger guys—you’ve got to look like you’re working for a company. Wear the right gear, use the right tools, and respect the job,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about safety, service, and making sure people’s property is protected.”

Even on a small recovery, Smith treats every call with the same care. “To me, it’s not just about making money,” he said. “It’s about doing the job to the best of your ability, every single time.”