Norfolk students’ miniboat embarks on epic journey across the ocean

NORFOLK, Va. — A group of Norfolk students saw some new knowledge set sail recently with the launch of their oceangoing miniboat, MB Forever Sea.

The Sail Nauticus Academy, a hands-on STEM learning program for Norfolk students, constructed the miniboat last school year. It initially set sail in July, launched from the tall ship Schooner Virginia on its way from Norfolk to Connecticut. Outfitted with a GPS tracker and carrying messages crafted by students, it drifted with the ocean’s currents and collected weather data until it arrived in New Jersey less than two weeks after it was launched.

Unsatisfied with such a short journey, Sail Nauticus Academy immediately began making plans to launch the boat again. Thankfully, a bigger oceangoing ship – the Carnival Sunshine – was able to assist.