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!”

Welcome to the 2023 Virtual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race!

While normal sailboat racing happens on the water, this race is completely online. Each participating schooner has teamed up with a nonprofit partner, and is racing to raise as much money as possible for their charity. YOU can participate in the race by choosing a schooner, making a contribution, and sharing this webpage with your family and friends! 90% of gifts will go directly to the charity of your choice. The other 10% will help the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race achieve its 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. 

Please take a moment to learn more about our schooners and the organizations they support. At the start of the race, please come back here to make a donation and support your team!

Donation links will be available from 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 23 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 26. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note: The Chesapeake Bay schooner community could not exist without people like you, and we're eager to keep in touch. GCBSR will share your contact information and notification preferences with the charity you donated to.  If you do not wish to be contacted by GCBSR, please opt out of communcations on the donation form.