05/12/2026
🚤⚡Qualifying: Overcoming Adversity, Charging Forward! ⚡🚤
Ocean engineering students on the Texas A&M Electric Boat Team—Kai Marayag, Nevin McKay, Philemon Kim, Allen Lawrence, Andrew Tucker, and Thomas Turner—officially landed in Portsmouth City Park, VA, ready to make waves at the prestigious Promoting Electric Propulsion Competition (PEP26)!
But right out of the gate, they were thrown a curveball: after unpacking, the team found shipping-related damage to BOTH the hull and the mechanical drive system! Without missing a beat, these Aggies rolled up their sleeves and leapt into repair mode, showing true perseverance and teamwork under pressure. 💪
Thanks to their determination, the team managed to restore the vessel just in time for the crucial qualifying round. 🛠️
As ocean engineering student Andrew Tucker shared, “Despite these challenges, Texas A&M successfully completed the 200-meter qualification run, earning a place among only 18 teams that advanced to the final race. This performance highlighted the robustness of the vessel’s electrical and propulsion systems, which operated as designed under competition conditions.”
Their resilience and innovative spirit truly shined—demonstrating the strength of their electrical and propulsion systems under real-world, high-stakes conditions.
Stay tuned, Aggie fans—our journey is just getting started! Gig ‘em! 👍🚤✨