Christopher Bua
Hammond,LA
Summary
Experienced Tugboat Captain / Master of Towing Vessels with proven command experience on Western Rivers, Great Lakes, and Inland Waterways. Holds a Master of Towing Vessels, Unlimited license with strong expertise in vessel navigation, tow management, crew leadership, lock operations, barge handling, route planning, safety compliance, and incident prevention. Recognized for sound decision-making in changing river conditions, strong knowledge of Coast Guard regulations, and a leadership style focused on safety, efficiency, and crew accountability.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Captain
River Rat Towing, LLC
Chalmette, La
10.2025 - Current
- Direct tug and tow operations, vessel safety, lock transits, and crew management.
- Maintain safe operations in changing river and traffic conditions.
Trip Captain
Woods Resources / Cooper Marine
Avondale, LA
01.2020 - Current
- Responsible for safe vessel navigation, tow integrity, crew oversight, and on-time cargo movements.
- Command towing/fleeting operations on inland and LMR waterways with strong focus on safety, communication, and regulatory compliance.
Pilot
Platinum Marine Services, Inc
Mandeville, LA
07.2023 - 09.2025
- Piloted line-haul and fleet movements with emphasis on tow handling and barge logistics to numerous chemical docks throughout LMR water way.
- Assisted in watch management, safety documentation, and crew leadership.
Fleet Captain
Gnots-Reserve Inc
Destrehan, LA
02.2023 - 07.2023
- Oversaw fleet boat movements, barge positioning, deck crew coordination, and fleet safety.
- Managed high-traffic fleet operations and vessel scheduling.
Fleet Captain
Marquette Transportation Company
St. Rose, LA
02.2020 - 02.2023
- Led operations in congested fleet environments while maintaining production goals.
- Lead vessel dispatching, coordinating, and safe movement of product.
- Supervised fleet crews, wash dock and dock setups.
Pilot
Marquette Transportation Company
St. Rose, LA
01.2019 - 2020
- Navigated multiple waterways with frequent tow change configurations while steering a different vessel every hitch, using advanced technical knowledge in chart reading.
- Operated towing vessels, ensuring safe navigation and compliance with maritime regulations.
- Supervised crew, fostering teamwork and effective communication during operations.
- Developed and implemented safety protocols to minimize risks in towing activities.
Mate
D&S Marine Service
Gray, LA
01.2019 - 01.2019
- Led deck crews in tow building, rigging, line handling, and fleet movements.
- Trained deckhands on safe barge handling procedures.
Mate
Turn Services
New Orleans, LA
2018 - 2019
- Supervised vessel operations, ensuring compliance with safety and navigational standards.
- Managed communication between bridge and deck crews to enhance coordination during vessel movements.
- Coordinated crew activities to optimize efficiency during docking and cargo handling processes.
- Conducted regular inspections of equipment and systems to maintain operational readiness and compliance.
Owner / Builder
Bua Builders, LLC
River Ridge, LA
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Owned and operated residential construction company.
- Managed full-cycle homebuilding projects from estimating, budgets, subcontractors and safety through final delivery.
Sales Consultant / Project Manager
Next Level Roofing, LLC
Lucas, TX
2013 - 2016
- Managed client relationships, project sales, scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and quality control.
- Developed tailored roofing solutions to meet client needs and preferences.
Project Manager and Estimator
TKO Maintenance and Construction, Inc
River Ridge, LA
2013 - 2016
- Estimated and Managed projects start to completion.
Deckhand
Turn Services
New Orleans, LA
2012 - 2013
- Vessel maintenance.
Implement SOP when mooring vessels and barges. - Supervise and manage deck crew and operations.
- Recognized for leadership, efficiency, and safe execution of deck work.
Deckhand
Ingram Barge Line
Reserve, LA
2011 - 2012
- Performed deck operations including line handling, tow inspections, and vessel maintenance support.
- Built foundational river experience in barge building, breaking tow and fleeting barges.
Construction Project Superintendent
TKO Maintenance and Construction, Inc
River Ridge, LA
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Directed construction crews, project scheduling, materials coordination, and field safety.
- Managed timelines, budgets, and client expectations in fast-paced environments.
Education
Associate degree - Business Administration
Delgado Community College
New Orleans, LA2007
Business Administration And Management
Nicholes State University
Thibodaux, LA01-2005
High school -
Curtis High School
River Ridge, LA01-2003
Skills
- Tug and tow vessel command
- Up to 20-barge open hopper tows
- Red flag barge movements
- Mississippi and Arkansas River navigation
- Gulf Intracoastal Waterway operations including the Port Allen Route and Algiers Route
- Houston, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville ship channels
- Crew supervision and watch management
- 6-person crew leadership
- USCG and company compliance
- Safety meetings / drills
- Incident-free vessel command
- Wheelhouse log documentation
- Weather and river condition assessment
- Vessel inspections and maintenance coordination
Accomplishments
- Progressed from Deckhand to Captain / Trip Captain through multiple respected marine operators.
- Extensive leadership background spanning construction project management and vessel command.
- Holds Master of unlimited Towing across Western Rivers, Great Lakes, and Inland Waterways.
- Safely handled tows of up to 20 open hopper barges.
- Vast experience headlining and maneuvering in tight, less than favorable conditions.
- Extensive experience safely navigating red flag barges and docks throughout career.
- Navigational experience on the Mississippi River, Arkansas River, Intracoastal Waterway including the Port Allen Route and Algiers Route, Houston Ship Channel, Corpus Christi Ship Channel, and Brownsville routes.
- Successfully managed crews of 6 men with strong emphasis on safety, discipline, and communication.
- Zero accidents or incidents on record.
- Maintains all required USCG certificates, endorsements, and credentials for captain-level command.
Certification
- Master of Towing Vessels, Unlimited
- Western Rivers Endorsement
- Great Lakes Endorsement
- Inland Waterways Endorsement
- TWIC
- Radar Observer (add if current)
- First Aid / CPR (add if current)
- STCW / RFPNW (if applicable)
Timeline
Captain
River Rat Towing, LLC
10.2025 - Current
Pilot
Platinum Marine Services, Inc
07.2023 - 09.2025
Fleet Captain
Gnots-Reserve Inc
02.2023 - 07.2023
Fleet Captain
Marquette Transportation Company
02.2020 - 02.2023
Trip Captain
Woods Resources / Cooper Marine
01.2020 - Current
Pilot
Marquette Transportation Company
01.2019 - 2020
Mate
D&S Marine Service
01.2019 - 01.2019
Owner / Builder
Bua Builders, LLC
01.2013 - 01.2018
Construction Project Superintendent
TKO Maintenance and Construction, Inc
01.2007 - 01.2011
Mate
Turn Services
2018 - 2019
Sales Consultant / Project Manager
Next Level Roofing, LLC
2013 - 2016
Project Manager and Estimator
TKO Maintenance and Construction, Inc
2013 - 2016
Deckhand
Turn Services
2012 - 2013
Deckhand
Ingram Barge Line
2011 - 2012
Associate degree - Business Administration
Delgado Community College
Business Administration And Management
Nicholes State University
High school -
Curtis High School
EQUIPMENT / WATERWAY EXPERIENCE
- Maintained excellent safety record with zero major incidents.
- Successfully piloted tows through challenging river stages, fog, high winds and high-current conditions.
- Improved crew efficiency through better watch rotation and deck communication.
- Trusted with high-value cargo movements and time-sensitive deliveries.
- Line-haul tugs
- Fleet boats
- Tank barges
- Hopper barges
- Dry cargo barges
- Rigging, wenches, face wires, headlines, and dock lines
- Western Rivers lock systems
- Great Lakes towing routes
- Inland canal system