Alan L. Bates directed the renovation of the steamer "Avalon" into the "Belle of Louisville," designed the steamboat "Natchez" and was involved in the planning, building or renovation of many other riverboats. "Naval Architect" is the true story of Alan L. Bates' career as a naval architect, the ups and downs, about learning things the hard way, about great success and the funniest moments in life. It's a personal account of the author's most prestigious projects including the Belle of Louisville renovation, Natchez, Chautauqua Belle and the Louisville Falls Fountain as well as his very own experiences with the US Coast Guard, which he had a life-long and deep love-hate relationship with. Alan L. Bates tells his stories in the same witty and refreshing style he did when telling stories in person at so many occasions, whether sitting on the lazy bench of the pilot house of the Belle of Louisville or on the sofa of his home in Louisville, Kentucky - in his very own style of storytelling that everyone who knew him did love so much.