About Me
I'm Doug Richards- Captain on the ATB Coho and previously Chief Mate on the ATB Randy McCraney. I’m happily married to my wife Katie and we have four beautiful daughters.
I began elementary school in Dayton, TX before moving to Boerne, TX. We lived deep in the Texas Hill Country and I spent many of my younger days climbing oak trees and swimming in the Guadalupe River with my siblings.
Childhood
Born
06/03/1991
Age
34
My teenage years consisted of focusing on school, sports, and working on a nearby ranch. I was the starting wide receiver and back up quarterback for the football team. In track, I qualified in the regional men’s 4x200 meter relay and also competed on the power lifting team.
High School
As a senior, I put a lot of thought into my future and what career path I’d pursue. I knew I didn’t want to be behind a desk and wanted to do something extraordinary. In my research of colleges I discovered the Texas Maritime Academy at Galveston.
School
Boerne Samuel V. Champion
Graduation
Spring 2010
Texas Maritime Academy
Truthfully, I had no idea what I had signed myself up for during those first couple weeks as a freshman. Much less, had any idea what a Harbor Pilot was. I clearly remember many of my classmates saying they wanted to be a pilot when they graduated. I couldn’t help but think to myself “Why would they join a Maritime College to go fly airplanes?”
As time went on, my interest soared and friendships bonded. I became deeply intrigued by this world I previously knew so less about.
Cadet Shipping
As a freshmen, I visited the Pacific on Cal Maritime’s TS Golden Bear where I earned a Golden Shellback (International Date Line and simultaneous Equator crossing).
Sophomore
Sophomore year, I spent the entire summer on a Maersk Containership running from the States to the Middle East. I was no longer Doug Richards; just “cadet”. I witnessed poverty in third world countries, worked long days and endured authoritarian type leadership. But I rolled up my sleeves and matured into a young deck officer that summer.
When I returned to school in the fall, I scored one of the highest grades on my summer sea project. And on request by the University Intermodal Transportation Professor, I proudly gave a presentation to his students on containership operations.
