Flames Unite

Columbia City Elementary (USA), Kanehama Elementary (Japan), & Columbia River Maritime Museum (OR, USA)

Updates:

1st Voyage

S/V FLAMES UNITE was built over the 2021-2022 school year by Mrs. Lewis’ and Mr. Ray’s 5th grade class at Columbia City Elementary. Special thanks to the Northwest STEM Hub for their support and making this program possible at Columbia City.

CRMM Miniboat Hull #033 was officially christened S/V FLAMES UNITE at a ceremony in the school courtyard on May 23, 2022.

  • May 23, 2022 - Christening of the Flames Unite

  • June 12, 2022 - Launched by NYK Line M/V Plumeria Leader

    On June 10, the 2022 CRMM Miniboat Fleet was delivered to the docks and aboard the M/V Plumeria Leader. This LNG powered PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) will launch each miniboat at the locations requested by the Quartermasters of each crew. A huge thank you to Captain Suzuki, James Tully, and everyone at NYK Line!

        

    June 11:

    June 12:

    Four miniboats were launched on June 12 – FLAMES UNITE, DONUT EXPRESS, BOAT TO FREEDOM, and WILD-LIFE.

    Stay tuned for pictures and details!

The Columbia River Maritime Museum Miniboat Program provides a global, multidisciplinary STEAM learning experience for 5th- to 7th-grade classes in the Pacific Northwest and Japan by empowering them to cooperatively design, build, launch, and track seaworthy GPS-equipped boats on a journey across the Pacific Ocean. The program was developed in partnership with the Consular Office of Japan in Portland and Educational Passages and is supported by Pacific Power, Northwest Stem Hub, West Marine BlueFuture Fund®, the U.S. Coast Guard, and many others.

Since the program’s start in 2017, 1,513 students on both sides of the Pacific Ocean have been involved in the launch of 31 miniboats, traveling a total of 70,000 nautical miles (and climbing). These boats are tracked daily and students are still building on the skills they honed to launch them.