Chris Boss is the Assistant Professor of Maritime Transportation at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Maritime Training Center and is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer with over 30 years of service.

Chris enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1992 and began a career working on buoy tenders in coastal waters throughout the U.S. In 2018, he was recognized as a Master Cutterman, with over 20 years of sea service, and assumed command of the Coast Guard buoy tender Anthony Petit, stationed in Ketchikan. Chris oversaw the maintenance of 278 floating and fixed aids to navigation, which included converting incandescent lanterns to LED lights.

Chris retired from the Coast Guard in 2022 and wanted to stay connected to the maritime community. As an instructor at UAS, Chris teaches maritime safety, including proficiency in survival craft and fire instruction. "I can take my 30 years of experience to the classroom and add to it to the curriculum," Chris says. "Students have to pass the training and the tests required by the Coast Guard, but my job is to help them understand why."

UAS Ketchikan has been training mariners for over 30 years, and offers a bridge simulator, and welding, diesel and electronic labs. "I take great pride in training and mentoring." Chris says. "I feel like it's my job and duty to my country to leave it better than I found it. Now I can do that locally."