Captains & Crew
Meet Our Team
Ashley
Captain
Captain Ashley was born and raised in Juneau. Authentically Alaskan, he spends his winters exploring the mountains and summers on the ocean and riding his mountain bike. Growing up in Southeast Alaska has given Ashley a deep-rooted passion for the area and intimate knowledge of the unique wilderness in the Upper Lynn Canal. He's been a Captain at Ocean Raft Alaska since 2011 and always says, "I'm pretty sure I have the best job in the world!!!" If you get a chance to ride with Captain Ashley, you'll see what he means!
Christian
Captain
Captain Christian grew up on the ocean in Maine and Connecticut, sailing with his family from the time he was little. He moved to Alaska in 1991 and has been at home on the water ever since. For a decade, Christian was a fisherman for: salmon, halibut and crab, before parlaying his experience into a captain's license in 2003. He worked in various marine environments since, including: passenger ferries, oil supply boats and ocean-going freighters. In 2010, Christian joined Ashley & Heather to launch Ocean Raft Alaska. He loves showing guests around the waters of Southeast AK, and teaching them about the unique beauty here that makes our backyard so special.
Heather
Captain
Heather grew up in South Central Alaska where she fell in love with the exploration of Alaska’s mountains, rivers and rugged wilderness. In 2008 she moved to Southeast Alaska, where she has lived year-round ever since. Heather spends her days off exploring oceans, glaciers, rivers and mountains via helicopter, plane, skiff, zodiac, skis, snow-mobile and her own two legs! She travels with her furry friends Norman, Doug along with her partner Will and their little love: baby Sully. In 2013, Heather got her captain’s license and began captaining the boats at Ocean Raft Alaska. If you ever get to ride the waves with her, you may hear her say: “Any day on the water is a good day!”
Jen
Captain
Jen Thuss grew up on the water and never looked back. As a kid, she would take out a little John boat on the Lake and her first job was teaching campers to water ski. After traveling the world with her military family, Jen came to Alaska in 2005. First to guide canoe tours at Glacier Point, from there, the boats got bigger and faster and she now holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captains license. The best part of her day is getting to share the subtle variances of the water and scenery with tour guests. Jen and her wife Deb live in Skagway with their dogs: Olive, Bernie, and Carlos.
Bevin
Captain
Bevin is a native New Yorker who grew up on, and in, the water: swimming, canoeing and playing water polo. She came to Southeast Alaska in 2009 to visit her sister and has spent every summer here since. First, she worked as a canoe guide at Glacier Point with Jen Thuss; then, in 2017, she moved over to Skagway and joined the Ocean Raft team. During the winter months you can look for Bevin living out of a dry bag, either: rafting the Grand Canyon, volunteering as a cross country ski guide for under-served populations in California or driving zodiacs in Antarctica. One of her favorite things about Ocean Raft is combining the adventure of the fast boat ride with countless teachable moments. From the grandeur of the Lynn Canal and the glacial history to the small detail of the mussels and barnacles along the fjord walls, there is always something for everyone on the tour.
Alyssa
Naturalist
Hi there! This little town has been my home since 2014 and I can’t think of a better place for you to experience the beauty of Alaska. Skagway has much to offer, I usually spend my days off: biking, hiking, kayaking, gardening, or enjoying the great outdoors in any way I can. When the days turn rainy and the mist hangs low in the valley, I love baking delicious brownies and cookies in a warm oven. This community has also inspired me to pick up a camera and capture the breathtaking views that surround me. If I get the pleasure of meeting you, I will make sure you leave Skagway with an appreciation and respect for this wild, rugged land.
Rachel
Naturalist
Hi, my name is Rachel. I was born and raised in Oregon but have spent the past four years traveling to many beautiful places. This past winter I got to spend backpacking through Southeast Asia; but no matter where I go Alaska remains as my favorite place to come back to. I have worked many jobs, including: a ski instructor, a zip line guide, an office assistant and as a naturalist on boats; out of all of them, showing and teaching people about the lovely nature in this area is my favorite. I’m excited to join you on this adventure!
Angela
Dock Rep / Naturalist
I grew up in Wisconsin with a love for water and the outdoors. After college I was working a corporate job and decided the cubicle life wasn’t for me. I made my way up to Alaska and fell in love with the beauty of this place. This will be my sixth season guiding and I cant wait for the summer to begin! Skagway is where I started my guiding career and I’m excited to get back to my old stompin’ grounds!
Johanna
General Manager
Johanna was born and raised just 90 miles south of Skagway, in Juneau Alaska. She grew up with the Tongass National Forest as her backyard; where she found she is the happiest on or near the ocean or in a forest. Johanna loves spending time with her dog, friends and family especially while dabbling in her favorite pastimes: camping, hiking, foraging, cooking, traveling, art and performing. In 2001, Johanna took her first job in the tourism industry. It was in the sharing of Alaska with visitors from all over the world and witnessing their joy as they experience the beauty that Alaska holds, that she found her life’s passion. Johanna welcomes you to her home and on this incredible excursion, “it is the absolute best way to experience the fun and beauty that our ocean and wilderness hold”.
