Becoming a Towboat Captain: Lessons from a Retired Master

Most people never think about the massive towboats pushing barges full of coal, grain, chemicals, and petroleum up and down America’s rivers. But those boats move an incredible amount of cargo. Inland waterways carry roughly 450–500 million tons of freight every year — about 14% of all intercity freight in the United States by volume. One single barge can hold as much cargo as 70 tractor-trailers or 16 railcars. The Mississippi River system alone is the backbone of this network, moving grain exports, energy products, and bulk commodities that keep the country running.

I recently sat down with my friend Barry Holcomb, a retired inland towboat captain, to talk about what that world is really like. When Barry hung up his license in 2014, he held an Inland Master of 200 Gross Tons. His license progression followed the standard path: he first held an Apprentice Mate (Steersman), then advanced to Mate (Pilot), and eventually upgraded to Master. His Mate (Pilot) and Master licenses also carried Western Rivers and Inland endorsements, which allowed him to operate on the Intracoastal Waterway as well as the western rivers.

Barry started his river career in 2005 as a deckhand for AEP River Operations, a major commercial barge company that at the time moved about 45 million tons of cargo a year (including a lot of coal). He later moved to American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) — one of the largest and most established inland barge companies in the country. ACBL has been around since 1915 and continues to move grain, dry bulk, and liquid commodities across the inland river system. Barry spent the rest of his career there before retiring.

The Long Climb to the Wheelhouse

Barry was quick to point out that moving up through the ranks and becoming a towboat Captain is never guaranteed. Career trajectory through the wheelhouse requires a mix of brains, grit, and mentorship — just like many other careers.

One of the biggest hurdles along the way is the TOAR (Towing Officer Assessment Record). This isn’t a multiple-choice test. It’s a rigorous, hands-on practical exam. A Coast Guard-approved “Designated Examiner” (an experienced master) rides along on the towboat to assess the candidate. The candidate must physically demonstrate that they can perform difficult maneuvers — like flanking, backing a tow, navigating narrow channels, and handling emergencies — without compromising the safety of the crew or the environment. You can learn more about the Towing Officer Assessment Record (TOAR) requirements on the official U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center website by clicking HERE.

One piece of advice from another captain stuck with Barry for years: “The day you stop learning is the day you wreck.”

He also laughed about how long it took before the job felt normal. “It took 10 years for the new to wear off,” Barry told me. That first decade is full of learning every lock, every bend, every current, and every weather condition the rivers can throw at you.

The Reality of the Schedule

Most inland towboat captains work a 28 days on / 28 days off rotation. While that sounds great on paper — half the year off — Barry was honest about the impact it has on family life. It can be taxing for someone with a family at home. You’re gone for a full month at a stretch, then home for a full month. It takes a special kind of partnership to make it work long-term.

Barry and his wife Theresa live in Moscow, Tennessee, where they are still raising their two daughters.

What Does a Job Like This Pay Today?

Experienced inland towboat captains and masters with the proper licenses commonly earn in the $100,000 to $180,000+ range, depending on the company, experience, and exact rotation. Some higher-end daily rates for senior masters fall in the $600–$800+ per day range. It’s solid pay, but it comes with long stretches away from home and real responsibility.

Final Thoughts from Captain Mike

Talking with Barry reminded me why I love this industry. Whether you’re running a 20-foot deck boat on Central Florida lakes or pushing a 30-barge tow up the Mississippi, the core principles stay the same: stay humble, keep learning, and respect the water.

If you’re someone who’s thought about going beyond recreational boating and into commercial work, Barry’s story is a good reality check. The path is long, the schedule is demanding, and promotion is never automatic — but for the right person, it’s a career with real purpose. I went through my own journey to get my captain’s license, which I wrote about HERE.

Thanks again to Barry Holcomb for sharing his experience.

Have questions about becoming a commercial captain? Drop a comment or reach out — I’m always happy to talk boats.

— Captain Mike Master Captain, 100 Ton Inland Boats To You Rentals / Central Florida Boating Association