Updates:

1st Voyage

The Gilliland is a miniboat from Cape Fear Community College Marine Tech Program. It was built by students in the Boat Manufacture and Service program, sponsored by @atlanticmarinewb and @allisonsailsandcanva.

As a department they decided to name it “the MB Gilliland, after our beloved graduate, crew member, and friend. Mitch would have loved the weather we deployed it in!!”

April 26, 2024

R/V Cape Hatteras Cruise Report: Released both drifters this morning in the Gulf Stream. Hard to say if they will stay in the stream long with the hard NE wind. Drifters were released at 1020 at: 31 43.627N 079 00.987W. More photos and videos of the event when the ship gets closer to the beach.

 

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April 29, 2024 Update

The Stormy Normy made its way to a tidal area (St Helena Sound) after 2.6 days at sea and traveling 187 km. The Gilliland however, stayed at sea a little longer and headed north of Charleston, but was still offshore about 20-30 km on the 29th. To find out what happened next with Stormy Normy, click here.

April 30, 2024

The Gilliland made landfall in Georgetown County, SC after 3.9 days at sea and traveling 200 km.

Jason at CFCC reached out to a ranger at Santee Coastal Reserve and sent them the coordinates.

A couple hours later the boat had been recovered at the Tom Yawkee Wildlife center by Jamie Dozier, a wildlife biologist at the center. It was lodged on a sandbar and in waist deep water and he was able to drag it out!

CFCC plans to retrieve it and redeploy again in June.

 

2nd Voyage

  • November 11, 2024 - Relaunched off the coast of South Carolina

    After a short (but successful) voyage in April, the miniboat GILLILAND was relaunched from the R/V Cape Hatteras by students and crew during the final cruise of the fall semester.

    On November 22, 2024 we received this confirmation:

    Deployed at 1447 at 33 32.4. 078 41.4. Wind 300 degrees , 30kts. Drifter heading approximately 120 rapidly

    Pictures and details to follow…