Veteran River Captain Finds Fulfillment at Hines Furlong Line

Capt. Scott Alvey, 55, has spent over 30 years navigating the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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After starting as a deckhand at an Ohio River coal dock in 1990, Capt. Scott Alvey, 55, of Morganfield, Kentucky, worked his way up to become captain of Hines Furlong Line's mv. Reggie Tubbs. Alvey spent 18 years working on harbor boats before transitioning to the linehaul business, crediting the leadership and mentorship of industry veterans like Capt. Aubrey Phillips and Bill Bray for helping him achieve his goal of piloting larger vessels. Now in his 13th year with Hines Furlong, Alvey takes pride in maintaining the company's high standards for vessel appearance and crew professionalism.

Why it matters

Alvey's story highlights the dedication and skill required to build a successful career as a river captain, as well as the importance of mentorship and company culture in the inland waterways industry. His journey from deckhand to captain of a 6,000 hp. towboat reflects the opportunities available for those willing to put in the hard work.

The details

Alvey began his career in 1990 as a deckhand at an Ohio River coal dock, later obtaining his pilot's license at age 24. He spent 18 years working on harbor boats before transitioning to the linehaul business, first with Tennessee Valley Towing and then with Hunter Marine Transport, which was acquired by Hines Furlong Line in 2018. As captain of the mv. Reggie Tubbs, Alvey takes pride in maintaining the vessel's pristine appearance and the professionalism of his crew, crediting Hines Furlong president Kent Furlong's high standards.

  • Alvey started as a deckhand in 1990 at age 19.
  • Alvey obtained his pilot's license in 1995 at age 24.
  • Alvey worked for Bray Marine from 2000 to 2008, serving as operations manager.
  • Alvey joined Tennessee Valley Towing in 2013 and then Hunter Marine Transport in 2013, which was acquired by Hines Furlong Line in 2018.
  • The mv. Reggie Tubbs, which Alvey captains, was refurbished in July 2022.

The players

Capt. Scott Alvey

A 55-year-old river captain from Morganfield, Kentucky, who has spent over 30 years navigating the inland waterways, including the last 13 years with Hines Furlong Line.

Capt. Aubrey Phillips

A mentor to Alvey early in his career, who stressed the value of hard work and provided lessons about the river, the wheelhouse, and the engineroom.

Bill Bray

The owner of Bray Marine, where Alvey worked for 8 years, whom Alvey considers a "professional father figure" who helped shape his career.

Kent Furlong

The president and founder of Hines Furlong Line, whose high standards for vessel appearance and crew professionalism Alvey credits for the company's success.

Reggie Tubbs

The namesake of the 6,000 hp. twin-screw towboat that Alvey captains, which was recently refurbished.

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What they’re saying

“Kent, he has a really high standard of how he wants his boats to look. It's amazing what he's doing with these older boats.”

— Capt. Scott Alvey, Captain, Hines Furlong Line

“The boat was pristine, and the crew well-groomed.”

— Reggie Tubbs (Social media)

“I visit his grave about once a year to thank him for where I'm at.”

— Capt. Scott Alvey, Captain, Hines Furlong Line

What’s next

Alvey plans to continue working for Hines Furlong Line for at least another 10 years, until he reaches the age of 65, before considering retirement. He hopes to continue taking on trip work and adding to his list of boats he has operated even after retiring from full-time work.

The takeaway

Capt. Scott Alvey's journey from deckhand to captain of a 6,000 hp. towboat demonstrates the importance of mentorship, hard work, and a company culture that values excellence in the inland waterways industry. His commitment to maintaining high standards and investing in the next generation of river pilots reflects the dedication required to build a successful career on the water.