Skagit Valley College will host a launch event for the research sailing vessel (S/V) One Ocean on May 3 at 8 a.m. in the parking lot near dock B of the Cap Sante Marina in the Port of Anacortes. One Ocean will be departing on a 14-month education and research sailing expedition.
The expedition will focus on ocean research, education, and community outreach to highlight the importance of education to motivate students of all ages to become future ocean stewards.
The event will feature a reception from 8-9 a.m. with remarks from project supporters and the One Ocean crew at 9 a.m. The One Ocean will launch promptly at 10 a.m. for its voyage. It is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.
The Samish Research and Spill Response Vessel Yo’mech (Chinook) will escort the vessel out to sea.
About the Vessel
One Ocean, a 48-foot Ketch, will embark on a 27,300-nautical-mile journey around North and South America as part of the Around the Americas Sailing Research and Education initiative. Its first stop will be in Victoria, B.C. to participate in the International Seaweed Symposium and continue on through the Northwest Passage to Brazil’s COP30 Climate Change Conference in November 2025.
Over the past year, the vessel underwent extensive refits at SVC’s Marine Technology Center where students worked to replace the boat’s engine, electronics, and other onboard systems while learning about rigging.
SVC is a lead partner in the Around the Americas project, collaborating through its Marine Maintenance Technology program. The program enrolls more than 50 students pursuing associate degrees and certificates in marine maintenance technology, marine electrical technician training, and marine mechanical technician training.
The expedition will circumnavigate back to Anacortes in June 2026.
Expedition Overview
The 14-month voyage will be conducted by a five-person crew, including two undergraduate marine science students, who will collect open-source scientific data for educators, students, and researchers worldwide.
The route follows the 2009-10 S/V Ocean Watch expedition, allowing for comparative data collection at more than 50 ports across 12 countries, including stops in the Northwest Passage, U.S. East Coast, Puerto Rico, Brazil’s COP30, the Falkland Islands, Cape Horn, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and the U.S. West Coast.
The five-person crew includes:
Mark Schrader, Captain
Jennifer Dalton, Project Director and Co-Captain
Mike Beemer, Scientist and Director of the SVC Marine Technology Center
Grace Dalton, Lead Onboard Scientist
Tess Shornack, Outreach Coordinator
Research and Education Focus
The expedition will collaborate with scientific institutions to study key ocean health issues:
Pole-to-Pole Kelp Study – In partnership with the University of Victoria, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and UCLA, researchers will assess bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) to examine their resilience and role in carbon cycling.
Atmospheric and Seawater Properties – In collaboration with the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab, research will focus on coastal ocean-atmosphere interactions to enhance climate science understanding.
Whale Identification and Conservation – In partnership with BC Whales and the North Coast Cetacean Society, the crew will conduct high-resolution photo identification of fin, orca, and humpback whales to support conservation efforts.
Education and Community Engagement
Beyond research, the expedition emphasizes ocean education and community involvement. Students from the Marine Technology Center contributed to the refit of S/V One Ocean, gaining hands-on experience in marine maintenance and technology.
Additionally, two undergraduate marine science students will collect data and share findings through social media, outreach programs, and port presentations.
Through a partnership with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, an online education platform, students worldwide will have access to live interactive lessons, reaching over one million learners. Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana will also provide an ocean sustainability curriculum, emphasizing marine conservation.
The expedition will explore iconic marine ecosystems, including Cape Horn, the Galápagos Islands, and the Arctic Circle.
Live-streamed research updates will provide real-time engagement with students and global audiences, while onboard sustainability ambassadors will advocate for ocean conservation.
The expedition encourages participation from schools, communities, and organizations through virtual events, public outreach, and online resources to promote environmental stewardship.
For more information about SVC’s Marine Maintenance Technology program, visit skagit.edu/marine-maintenance-technology.
To support the expedition, contact foundation@skagit.edu or call 360.416.3229. For inquiries about the Around the Americas project, email atamericasjd@gmail.com, visit oneislandoneocean.com, or follow on Facebook (@oneislandoneocean), Instagram (@oneisland.oneocean), and YouTube (@oneislandoneocean).
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications 360.416.7957Media Contact Info