Conquer the Chesapeake 2010

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 a crew of ten active duty sailors will attempt to row and sail a 26-foot long Monomy Pulling Boat across the Chesapeake Bay from First Landing State Park to Kiptopeke State Park and back.

Sponsored by the Naval Heritage Society, in cooperation with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Virginia State Parks, this event is designed to raise awareness of environmental issues surrounding the Bay and to generate interest in seamanship skills and non-electronic navigation. 

On Friday, May 14, at First Landing State Park, members of the general public and media can meet the crew at 1pm and watch a practice launch at 7:30pm.  On Saturday, May 15th, the general public and media can watch the crew muster at the boat and prepare for launch at 7:00am. 

On Saturday, May 15th at Kiptopeke State Park, members of the general public and media can watch the crew's arrival on the Eastern shore around 3 p.m.  The crew will participate in a beach clean up and then prepare for Sunday's return trip to First Landing.

On Sunday, May 16th, the general public and media meet the crew and watch them launch at 7 a.m. at Kiptopeke State Park.  The boat and crew is scheduled to arrive at First Landing State Park around 3pm that afternoon.

For more information about the event, please contact LT. Will King 757-288-7129 or Cara Simpkins at 540-255-4229.  More photos and information can also be found at the Naval Heritage Society's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=206894&id=323193189514.