Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photos Provided By Mark Swingle

Wesleyan's vessel finally available for research

By Lauren Perry

laperry@vwc.edu

Four years ago, Virginia Wesleyan announced to freshman students that by fall of 2006 they would have a research vessel available for use. Those students are about to graduate just one month before the long-awaited completion of The Ocean Explorer.

The tale of The Ocean Explorer is a strange one. It was in spring of 2005 when students first heard about the research vessel that would enable them to expand their scientific studies on the Chesapeake Bay. After about two years passed and no boat was to be seen, The Marlin Chronicle began to investigate. A full report was published in the fall of 2008, explaining how the man contracted to make the boat, Rick Arvidson, had abandoned his company, taken his remaining cash and fled both Virginia as well as many unhappy customers, two of which were Virginia Wesleyan and the Virginia Aquarium.