Last year, students and teachers at Del Norte High School in Crescent City cleaned and returned a small boat to Takata High School in Rikuzentakata, a city in Japan.

The boat, which was confirmed as Japan tsunami marine debris (JTMD), formed lasting bond between two nations.

This month, students from Takata High School had the opportunity to visit and thank Del Norte High School. The opportunity brought together students to explore new cultures, learn about JTMD items found along the west coast and visit the site where the boat was found.

The boat, which was reportedly used for the school’s science program, washed away from Takata during the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan. It made its way to Crescent City in April 2013, intact but covered in marine growth. The NOAA Marine Debris Program and Cal EMA coordinated response efforts.

For more information, contact Sherry.Lippiatt@noaa.gov.

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