JBER Outdoor Recreation hosts captain's class

  • Published
  • By Airman Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Alaska has more than 3,000 rivers, 33,000 miles of shoreline and three million lakes, allowing for boating of all kinds. But there is a first step to every adventure.

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Outdoor Recreation Centers offer rental boats designed for rivers, lakes and the ocean, which Department of Defense ID card holders can rent.

"The Outdoor Recreation Center gives our service members the opportunity to enjoy Alaska with the boats we offer," said Brenda Nabulsi, operations assistant at the Richardson ORC.

Canoes, kayaks and paddle boats are available. Prior to renting a boat, the center requires watching a 30-minute safety video before renting non-motorized boats.
Motorboats can be rented after successfully completing an online boater-safety course.

For ocean boats, renters must take the two-hour Captain's Class at the JBER-Elmendorf ORC and an online boater-safety course.

The online course consists of six lessons and a final exam, which requires a score of 80 percent or higher.

According to the BoatUS Foundation, boating education is a critical part of responsible boating.

The test covers the rules of the water, like larger boats always having the right of way, and never tossing an anchor off the back of the boat.

Bob Braun, Captain's Class instructor at the JBER-E ORC, reviews the laws of boating in Alaska with a slideshow during the class.

He also mentions local considerations, such as tide awareness. For example, if anchored too close to shore on high tide, when the tide falls so will the boat.

Braun recommends always starting with full tanks of fuel, a charged battery, a working fire extinguisher and flares. He also suggests using one-third of fuel to get to your destination and one-third to get back, keeping one-third in reserve.

"Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's rental boats have been in fewer accidents since the introduction of the Captain's Class here in 2007," Nabulsi said.

On any adventure, it is dangerous to go alone. The operator has a lot to manage, so it is the duty of passengers to keep an extra eye out for potential hazards like wildlife, other boats and obstacles in the water.

"Everybody on the boat is a lookout," Braun said.

"If you see something, tell somebody. Trust your instincts; if it doesn't feel right, don't do it."

For more information, visit boatus.org/alaska or either of the JBER ORCs.