A Cork ‘mini-boat’, which has already travelled over 5000km across the Atlantic Ocean, is set to begin sailing again this weekend.
The 1.5-metre-long boat with a small sail is due to set off once again thanks to a collaboration between Cork City Council, Creative Ireland, Port of Cork and the National Maritime College of Ireland.
As part of an educational programme in 2017, the boat was first launched by students from Harbor View Elementary School in Charleston, South Carolina.
The educational initiative allowed the children the ability to follow the route and progress of the boat, and in turn learn about geography, oceans, currents and the environment.
Later in 2017 the boat first docked in Mayo, the little boat then found its way to the Rebel County, where it was repaired and relaunched.
Cork City Council’s ‘Old Cork Waterworks Experience’ and Creative Ireland invited Cork primary school children to submit designs inspired by Cork and its unique relationship with the ocean.
To prepare for the return of the boat to sea, the designs were used to create a collage which was placed on the boat following extensive repair works by Walsh Boat Works.
A sail which displays the Cork coat of arms has also been added to the boat.
The revamped boat will be put to sea mid-Atlantic by the crew of the Independent Horizon, an ICL cargo vessel and regular visitor to Cork.
The mini-boat is fitted with a GPS so that its ocean journey can be tracked on www.educationalpassages.org.
A virtual exhibition of the artwork submitted by Cork students and a mini-boat pocketbook will mark the relaunch.
Virtual classroom calls will take place between schools in Cork and Harbor View Elementary School in Charleston, South Carolina.
Speaking of the mini-boat programme, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, who was deputising for the Lord Mayor, at the handover said:
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Cork school children to connect with children on the other side of the Atlantic and to learn about the ocean, the weather and the world they live in. I want to congratulate all of the team who played a part in getting the boat to sea again to continue its voyage of discovery.”
