The Life of a Riverboat Captain

“Wow! That must have been something! What a cool career! What are the towboats like?” This is the kind of question asked by everyone I have ever met when they learn that I worked on the river for years… Settle in for all kinds of fun facts and personal observations about the rivers, the towboats, and life onboard. I promise you will enjoy this nautical journey!

-Captain Tom Struve

We will have Captain Struve’s recently-published book, All About Towboats, for those who would like to purchase signed copies.

Captain Tom Struve grew up on the banks of the Mississippi River at Prescott, WI. His childhood dream to pilot towboats was fulfilled as he became the youngest captain to ever be licensed out of the Chicago, IL Coast Guard office on his twenty-first birthday in April of 1973. Tom was an active towboat captain for more than two decades.

A graduate of the University of MN with a degree in Public Administration, Tom continues into his third decade of public employment working for the city of Avondale, AZ. Now residents of Goodyear, AZ (350 sunny days annually) Tom, his wife Shannon, and their dog Bobby Jones (yes, named after the golfer), enjoy every outdoor activity.