The Time X Academy Students Got to Go on the Western Flyer!

The vans rolled out of the X Academy Maker Space just as the sky began to lighten, a soft blue glow stretching over Watsonville. It was early—6:45 a.m.—but the energy was unmistakable. Students bundled in hoodies and windbreakers clutched travel mugs and cameras, their conversations bubbling with anticipation. We were heading to Moss Landing, bound for the Western Flyer, a vessel whose name carries both history and adventure.

By the time we reached the harbor, the scent of salt air and seaweed had replaced sleepiness with wonder. There she was—the Western Flyer—gleaming in the morning light, her wooden hull restored to perfection. For most, this was more than just a field trip; it was a step into a living story that began nearly a century ago.

In 1940, author John Steinbeck and his friend, marine biologist Ed “Doc” Ricketts, set sail on this very boat to explore the Sea of Cortez in Baja California. Their journey—part expedition, part philosophical quest—led to The Log from the Sea of Cortez, a book that merged science, literature, and the human spirit of curiosity. Doc Ricketts, one of the first true marine ecologists, believed that studying the ocean meant understanding connections—between species, between ecosystems, between ourselves and the sea. It’s his spirit that continues to guide the Western Flyer today.

Now, decades later, this beautifully restored boat serves as a floating classroom and research lab. According to the Western Flyer Foundation, their mission is to “To stir curiosity through marine research, education, and a blend of science and art inspired by John Steinbeck, Ed Ricketts...” On this crisp October morning, our group had the privilege of stepping aboard to continue that tradition of exploration.

The deck rocked gently beneath our feet as the crew welcomed us, explaining the day’s mission. We were going to operate a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)—our own robotic explorer —to dive into the depths of Monterey Bay. Just like the scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, we would watch through live video as the ROV’s cameras revealed the world beneath the waves: kelp forests swaying like underwater cathedrals, darting fish, perhaps even a curious seal.

About 2 miles out to sea, Jenni Johnson, the Flyer's Marine Tech taught our students how to deploy their Poseidon Robotics Lanai ROV for ocean exploration and research. The foggy grey day made visibility a challenge, but we were still enthralled with experiencing an ROV in action. 

Even more exciting, was the moment Scarlett and Joaquin deployed the X Academy-built ROV that won second place in the Navigator division of the Monterey Bay MATE ROV competition in April. And it didn’t leak!!! There was a quiet sense of accomplishment that hung in the ocean air. 

We were inspired to consider future collaborations with the Western Flyer team, perhaps designing and building some tools that would enhance their ROV. Many thanks to Rials Christenson, the Education Manager for arranging this inspirational day! 

As the boat glided across the bay, the sun broke through the mist, and laughter mixed with the sound of gulls. Between ROV dives, the group gathered on deck, sharing observations and snapping photos, marveling at the simple beauty of being out at sea. Students peppered  the boat crew with questions to learn what it is like to be a marine tech from Jenni Johnson, an ocean educator from Rials Christenson, and an ROV pilot for MBARI from Johann Voigtlander who just returned from the Arctic.  Some students sketched the horizon; others recorded data or simply stood at the bow, wind in their faces, watching the coastline drift by and sighting several humpback whales.

In that moment, it was impossible not to feel connected—to Steinbeck and Ricketts, to the long line of explorers who came before us, and to the ocean itself. The Western Flyer isn’t just a vessel; it’s a bridge between past and present, art and science, curiosity and care.

As we headed back toward Moss Landing, the morning sun glinting off the waves, it was clear that this trip was more than an outing. It was an invitation—to think deeply, to see differently, and to recognize that discovery isn’t only about what’s beneath the surface of the sea, but also about what stirs within us when we explore it.

We returned to the Maker Space mid-afternoon, a little salt-streaked, a little sun-warmed, and a lot inspired. The Western Flyer had given us a glimpse of something timeless—the joy of asking questions, the thrill of exploration, and the responsibility of stewardship.

In the words of Steinbeck himself, “The true biologist deals with life, with teeming, boisterous life, and learns something from it—something of infinite interest.” On that October morning, aboard the Western Flyer, we did just that.