Capt. Joel Jenkins proudly serves our United States of America as an Army Reserve Aviator and has just returned from a 1-year deployment to Iraq. He is an avid water fanatic, and being stuck in the desert for a year has him eager to get back on the water and around boats.

Joel is a certified marine surveyor (ACMS) who has proven his knowledge and expertise of the marine surveyor trade to earn him these credentials. He also holds a United States Coast Guard (USCG) rating as a Merchant Marine Captain, which allows him to legally navigate waterways for a fee.

Joel complies with the American Professional Captains Association (APCA) for maritime drug testing. After receiving this rating, he went on to become an instructor with Sea School to teach others and share the same love of boating for those also interested in obtaining this USCG rating.

Joel and his wife, Elizabeth, own and operate Jay Landings Marina in Decatur, Alabama.

Among Joel’s other credentials and interest is his service as an Army National Guard maintenance officer, NAUI SCUBA certified instructor, and a triathlete. He grew up on the Tennessee River and has been around boats since he was a child.

In the early 90’s Joel owned and operated a fiberglass boat manufacturing company. This gave him tremendous insight into the proper techniques in building and repairing fiberglass vessels. During this time, Joel and Elizabeth purchased and expanded the marina to include a 25-ton Marine Travel Lift, and to this day, it is the only lift in the area. The marina included then, as well as now, boat repairs including propulsion, machinery installation and hull repair. These hull repairs include steel, aluminum, fiberglass, as well as ferro-cement.

Joel has studied and is standards compliant by the ABYC, and he is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (The NFPA’s mission is to develop, publish and disseminate codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.) Joel uses his knowledge of the NFPA’s codes to determine safety on board vessels.

Rest assured that when you retain Joel as your marine surveyor, he will complete a detailed report of the vessel giving you the peace of mind that your interests are protected.

Please see the service page to see a complete listing of the services that can be performed by Capt. Jenkins.