Did the Plastic Boats Float at the Great Lake Erie Boat Float?

• Posted at 9:28 am on October 14, 2009 by Conservation Education Staff
• In Events Comments: 4

It all started on September 26, 2009 with 27 Zoo Crew members and three Zoo employees building what turned out to be two boats out of recycled materials. The materials consisted of items like plastic bottles, old signs, wood, plastic barrels and we also used plastic bags to make rope. We got all the materials from the Zoo's recycling center and materials that zoo crew members collected from their homes. The members of Zoo Crew started at 10 a.m. and worked until 4 p.m. We worked in the cold and rain to make two amazing boats both made out of post consumed plastic. The boats were named the "Zoo Crew Canoe" and the "S.S. Down Under." How did these boats get their names well the "Zoo Crew Canoe" resembled a canoe and the "S.S. Down Under" got its name for because the sail was an old sign with a koala on it and because most of the Zoo Crew members did not believe the boat would float.

On October 3, 2009, The Zoo Crew members made their way to Edgewater Beach to race their two boats at the Great Lake Erie Boat Float hosted by the Biodiversity Alliance and inspired by Dr. Marcus Eriksen Director of Research and Education at the Algalita Marine Research Foundation). The Zoo Crew teens were in high spirits and were ready to see if the boats would actually float. There were a total of ten boats participating in the float. At 9 a.m., the boats took off, well most of them. Unfortunately our very own "Zoo Crew Canoe" had a rough time. The boat lost a plastic barrel before it even hit the water, and shortly after, the "Zoo Crew Canoe" hit the water it went down under! That's right, it sunk -- luckily the boat was near the shore and the Zoo Crew members survived the sinking of the canoe and removed the boat from the lake. Luckily the "S.S. Down Under" made it safely out 300 feet and back. Aboard the "S.S. Down Under" was Rachel Littler, a senior at Garrett Morgan Cleveland School of Science Academy and Miranda Beran, a sophomore at Brecksville Broadview Heights High School.

Rachel's Reaction:
Participating in the Boat Float was a one of a kind experience. Having the chance to ride on the SS Down Under with Miranda was a lot of fun, but more physical demanding than I had originally thought. My arms grew tired by the time we had made it to the 300 foot mark. After we had turned around, we realized that we were one of the last boats to ride back to shore. With much perseverance and determination, Miranda and I gave it our best to finish the boat race strong. It was Miranda's encouraging words and the cheers from everyone on shore that gave me the strength to continue. Once we were close enough to shore, Miranda and I jumped out into the cold water and pulled our boat the rest of the way. Walking onto the beach knowing that I had accomplished something was a great feeling. Although I was soaking wet and freezing, I knew then that I would never forget this amazing Zoo Crew experience.

Miranda's Reaction:
The Great Lake Erie Boat Float was an amazing and crazy experience. The "S.S. Down Under" was definitely the boat the Zoo Crew members thought would sink but it luckily survived the 300 yard journey. I was very excited when the boat made it out quickly but that pace did not last its whole journey. Turning around was quite a challenge and we struggled pulling are sail down and making it back to shore but we did it! I decided that once we got close enough it was time to jump out of the boat and pull it to shore Rachel was soon to join me and we pulled the boat to shore. Even though the water was freezing it was so much fun pulling the boat ashore. The scariest part of the journey would have to be when on our way back we floated over to a patch a rocks and I was afraid that we might pop one of the bottles on the boat. The best part of the trip was when we were done and I realized that we made it safely to shore and that our sailing was successful. I would definitely consider this one of the craziest and funniest things I have done in Zoo Crew.   I would definitely do this again to make people aware of the importance of recycling!

Some photos:

Miranda & Rachel set sail



“The Down Under”



Miranda & Rachel with Dr. Marcus Eriksen



Zoo Crew volunteers with Dr. Marcus Eriksen