The "tugantine" Norfolk Rebel is the world's first (and only) sail-powered, schooner-rigged tugboat. The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race got its start when, in 1988, Captain Lane Briggs of the Norfolk Rebel challenged the Pride of Baltimore II to a race down the Bay. Now owned and operated by Lane's son Steve Briggs, the Norfolk Rebel is still in many ways the heart and soul of the GCBSR. 

Norfolk Rebel is racing on behalf of the Elizabeth River Project. ERP's mission is to restore the Elizabeth River to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships.