A river career that started in the 1970s as a deckhand has since grown into a lifelong passion for captain and BB Riverboats founder Alan Bernstein, who the National Rivers Hall of Fame recognizes for his contributions to America’s waterways.
Bernstein’s dedication has earned him the bestowment of the 2023 Achievement Award by the hall of fame—the highest honor given.
Bernstein started his river career in the 1970s as a deckhand aboard the Steamer Delta Queen. Bernstein served under National River Hall of Fame inductee Betty Blake’s campaign to save the Delta Queen. This first experience sparked his interest in beginning a search for a vessel to start his own business, and once he found a boat, he established BB Riverboats in 1979. The B’s in BB Riverboats stand for his father, Ben Bernstein, and Betty Blake’s initials. Bernstein named his first vessel in his fleet the M/V Betty Blake since Blake played a role in helping the Bernstein family start BB Riverboats.
“My father skipped his High School graduation to experience the river system for the first time aboard the Steamer Delta Queen,” said Alan Bernstein’s son, captain Ben Bernstein, who serves as the Chief Financial Officer at BB Riverboats. “He tells all who will listen how the river gets in your blood and becomes a part of you. He crafted a career around his love for the river and everything surrounding the industry.
“To say that our family is proud of all that he has accomplished would be a supreme understatement. There is no person more deserving of the honor and recognition that this award brings, and it showcases all of the dedication, hard work, and passion he has exhibited throughout his illustrious and now hall-of-fame career.”
Bernstein received his first master license in 1981 and holds a master license for 1600 tons, an Inland Master License for 100 tons, and an Unlimited Master of Towing License for Western Rivers. Bernstein’s ambitions led him to become more involved in the industry as he became a member of the Passenger Vessel Association and President of the Association in 1988.
BB Riverboats uses two riverboats inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard: The Belle of Cincinnati and the River Queen. The boats take passengers up and down the river from their home port in Newport.