CFCC students check in on unmanned boat sailing in Matthew

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Marine Technology students at Cape Fear Community College have the unique opportunity to be able to study the effects of Hurricane Matthew real time. This is all thanks to their self made unmanned boat that is currently in the Atlantic.

Students gathered in their class this morning to discuss the current status of the drifter. Recently that same group of students in the Marine Technology program deployed a five foot unmanned boat from their main research vessel into the Atlantic ocean.

The goal of the program is to learn about all the effects of the ocean right from the middle of a hurricane.

“It’s a neat way and a different way to look at the way the winds and the currents affect like small stuff like that.” said CFCC Marine Technology student Craig Cheers.

The mini fiberglass boat has made its way from the coast of North Carolina to the coast of Virginia. You can follow the progress of the drifter during the Hurricane right here.