For her original owner, Captain Lane Briggs, Norfolk Rebel was a dream come true.

Norfolk Rebel is the first designed and built sail-assisted tug boat - a tugantine! Captain Lane used her for towing, salvage, commercial fishing, and as a safety vessel for tall ship festivals. Captain Lane and Norfolk Rebel started the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race back in 1990, when they challenged the Pride of Baltimore to a race down the Bay. Capt. Lane "crossed the bar" back in 2005, but Norfolk Rebel continues to keep his legacy and dreams alive.

For over 30 years now, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race has been hard at work on its multifaceted mission: to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. The race brings focus to the maritime traditions of schooners on the Chesapeake and brings attention to the environmental issues facing the Bay's ecosystem. All net proceeds of the race are donated to support youth education and other efforts aimed at preserving Bay ecology and culture. This is why the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race is proud to say they are “Racing to Save the Bay!”