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The River: Young riverboat captain has gathered big load of rosebuds fast, wants to stay on river forever


The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders will be sharing the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story.

By Capt. Don Sanders
Special to NKyTribune

Alex Schuchter, age 19, who has been mentioned in this column before, commanded his first passenger excursion boat, BB Riverboats, RIVER QUEEN, for the first time this past week.

In my last river column, I urged youngsters to “gather ye rosebuds.” It seems one recently-minted young captain has gathered an armload of buds, already.

Alex Schuchter, age 19, who has been mentioned in this column before, commanded his first passenger excursion boat, BB Riverboats, RIVER QUEEN, for the first time this past week. This extraordinary feat, though not unheard of in river history, beat my record for being in charge of a boatload of paying tourists by some 13 years.

Alex and I met on Facebook a few years ago when he seemed to want to get into any river discussion he could with seasoned captains and other river people. We’d seen others with such pluck before – all talk, no action, and soon to fade away. But, while still a student at Campbell County High School, in Northern Kentucky, in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area, young Alex stuck to his guns and remained determined to find his niche within the close-knit river fraternity. 

After a while, some of us old-timers, exchanging messages on Chat, figured that Alex might actually “have the right stuff,” when it came to what working on riverboats meant. Forget the calliopes, crinoline-laced southern belles, and tinkling champagne glasses — I’m talking hard, dirty, and sometimes dangerous work while loving every minute of it. This Schuchter fellow seemed to be the “real deal,” as he proved so by his willingness to do whatever it took to accomplish the mission of the boats he worked aboard. 

When asked why he wanted to work on the river, Alex replied: “You’re not the first to ask that, and I’ve never been able to give a certain answer. There’s just something about it that called out to me and drew me in. The first thing that sparked my interest was a painting I found at a Goodwill store of the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN when I was eleven. I bought it, took it home, and researched the boat to find it was just cut up for scrap that year. I was so sad, and then I remembered the boats in Newport.”  

Alex’s first day as Captain on BB Riverboats’ RIVER QUEEN… or any boat, for that matter. Quite a feat for a serious and dedicated young riverman.

By the “boats in Newport,” Alex meant BB Riverboats of Newport, Kentucky, a premier excursion boat company owned and operated by my long-time friend and riverboat associate, Captain Alan Bernstein and his energetic family. 
Alex went on to disclose: “I started calling BB when I was twelve, asking for a job; it wasn’t until I turned fourteen that they finally said okay.”

When I reminded Alex that many of us older river types were skeptical at first until we realized he was serious and willing to work, his comeback was: “I couldn’t be any happier to be doing what I am!”

“So true, “I replied. “You’re in the club, now, and many eyes are watching you. I see some ‘big guns’ on the river are congratulating you.”

“It feels amazing, Alex continued, ” to have all the support coming from everyone – makes one proud of their work!”

Asked who helped him along, as every successful boat professional had someone who helped them achieve their goals as Walter Hoffmeier, Captain Ernest E. Wagner, Harry Louden, and others did for me, Alex answered: “All the Captains at BB and others gave good advice, and most certainly yourself!”

“I started calling BB when I was twelve, asking for a job; it wasn’t until I turned fourteen that they finally said okay.”

“That’s good to hear you’ve included me. How about Captain Al, as far as encouragement, and what about Captain Kerry Snowden?”

“Captain Al gave me amazing encouragement, as well as Cap’n Kerry. Al did not doubt my potential from the start.”

When asked how his family liked his choice of the river industry for his career ventures, Alex said, “They’re extremely proud and excited for me; especially my grandparents. But my parents are equally excited! ”

My parents, I reflected, were not especially supportive of my decision to follow the river until well after I was a Captain on the DELTA QUEEN and they rode the legendary steamboat to Pittsburgh and back to Cincinnati with the oldest son in charge. Only then did they see the worth in what I choose to do with my life. Having family support, I understand personally, especially for one as young as Alex standing on the crossroads of his career path is especially meaningful. 

This Schuchter fellow seemed to be the “real deal,” as he proved so by his willingness to do whatever it took to accomplish the mission of the boats he worked aboard. 


After I wondered what future career goals Cap’n Schuchter had in mind, he remarked: “Eventually upgrade my 100-ton Master’s license to Unlimited Master of Motor or Steam Vessels; with a First-Class Pilot license.”

While he added, “In a perfect world, the DELTA QUEEN would be forever exempt (from the Safety and Life at Sea Law), and I would retire from that boat. Whatever happens though, I want to be on the river forever.”

“Forever” is a mighty long time. But if Captain Alex lasts as long as I have on the river, the year 2100 will only be 22 years into his future. May those years between now and then be eventful, fun, safe, and full of adventures… and may he keep collecting those rosebuds while encouraging youngsters following him to grab their own buds.

Captain Don Sanders is a river man. He has been a riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and with Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a “machine” and became a captain in the USAF. He is an adventurer, a historian, and a storyteller. Now, he is a columnist for the NKyTribune and will share his stories of growing up in Covington and his stories of the river. Hang on for the ride — the river never looked so good.

” I want to be on the river forever!”


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10 Comments

  1. Jo Ann Schoen says:

    Sure enjoyed this article about my friend, Captain Alex. Good to know that we have youngsters coming up with the love of the river in their blood.

  2. Pete OConnell says:

    Great accolades to a hard working young man Captain.
    As I remembered the lad on Facebook was like a minnow nibbling at a piece of bread , who knew he was a piranha devouring every bit of information a d advise we gave him.
    I worked a few trips with him and watched him in his duties. I thought that he would do alright.
    Capt Kevin Mullen and I talked about this last night, it’s not who we were on the boats but what we left behind, the legacies of those before us to carry on. Alex is the very example.

  3. Chris Wirtjes says:

    So proud of Captain Alex. I work with him at BB Riverboats and can relate to the passion he has for the River. What a great young man and friend.

  4. Jessica C Yusuf says:

    So great to see the younger generation not only wanting to be on the river but to do so with respect for and a desire to learn from those who were on the river before him. Thanks for sharing!

  5. Captain Don Sanders has lived the life and his stories draw folks into the life as surely as a movie can recreate the lifestyle. God Bless Captain Don.

  6. Bela Berty says:

    Great pleasure comes from making opportunities to encourage others.

  7. Great Luck and Future to Capt Alex.

  8. Cornelia Reade-Hale says:

    Capt Don thanks for.mentoring and highlighting “Captain Alex”. That sounds so awesome! He’s worked very hard and it shows. He’s been fortunate to have Capts Sanders. Snowden and Bernstein and others to mentor him.. I’m glad he paid attention and asked questions in the River conversations. I look forward to his progress and his mentoring of some young river person(s).

  9. Captn Kim says:

    Love this man and his stories. But more so Im glad he is part of a story of my life. One small meeting forever changed the course of my canoe, and my life. Someday Captn Alex will be an old wise captain of rivers as the story of “Old Man”River never ends.

  10. Cap'n Don says:

    Thanks for all the comments. Sunday afternoon, after the story came out, Cap’n Alex was helping Jonathan Sanders and I “soogee” the Rafter CLYDE.

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