Updates:
1st Voyage
-
September 2018 - January 2019 Progress
About Us:
Richmond Elementary School is located in Portland, Oregon and is a Japanese Immersion School. The entire 4th grade is participating in CRMM’s Miniboat Program during the 2018-2019 School Year.
The Japanese Immersion Program began in 1989 with two kindergarten classes at Richmond Elementary School. Now, a complete K-12 language immersion program with students starting at Richmond for kindergarten and stay-ing through 5th grade. At Richmond Elementary, students spend half their day learning in Japanese and the other half in English. Teachers provide lessons in literacy, math, science, and social studies in both languages.
In September, each fourth grade class at Richmond Elementary School received a kit and started planning the construction and launching of their miniboat. Yellow Team received Hull #012 of the Columbia River Maritime Museum’s Fleet.
Kanehama Elementary School 
Richmond Elementary 4th Grade -
January 2019 - Ready for the Coast Guard
M/B Sakura Tree will be loaded on the CGC STEADFAST and deployed off the coast of Baja.
-
February 17, 2019 - Launch Day
The Sakura Tree was launched by the Coast Guard on February 17th, 2019 at 12° 53.0091’ N 103° 54.5524’W, which is about 200 miles off Clipperton Island where she should catch the trade winds and westward equatorial current.
Special thanks to the crew of the CGC STEADFAST who loaded her onboard in Astoria, Oregon and launched her during their voyage to waters off Central America. Semper Paratus.
-
August 17, 2019 - No longer reporting
We last heard from the Sakura Tree on August 17, 2019.
VOYAGE STATS
The Sakura Tree sailed for 181 days, traveling 7,163 km (3,867 nm) before it sent its last GPS report.
Columbia River Maritime Museum’s Miniboat Program celebrates 10 years! Over this first decade, the program has provided a global, multidisciplinary STEAM learning experience for 4th through 7th grade classes. Students work in teams to design, assemble, launch, and track GPS-equipped boats. Each classroom learns about maritime history and culture of the Pacific Northwest and across the Pacific Ocean. In 2027, we will also plan to launch our 50th miniboat!
The program is in partnership with Educational Passages and has been supported by numerous organizations and private donors, including Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Pacific Power, NWSTEM Hub, West Marine BlueFuture Fund®, Northwest Oregon Works, and U.S. Coast Guard.
