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Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop and Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman took the newly christened Riparianne out for its first spin on the Neuse River. On board were special guests Joshua and Colleen Coltrane and their two daughters Amelia and Violet — son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren of the winner of Sound Rivers’ boat-naming contest held in June.

New Bern resident Perry Coltrane submitted Riparianne as a potential name for the 2025 KenCraft Bay Rider Skiff 2060, beating out Sound Hound, River Creeper, Al G. Bloom and The Tide Turner for top honors.

Samantha and Katey met up with the Coltrane family last Friday for a boat ride, one of several prizes awarded the contest winner.

“We met at Lawson’s Creek, then went out into the Neuse and up Brices Creek,” Katey said. “On the way back, the sun was setting, and it was so gorgeous.”

Samantha said they talked about a wide variety of topics including fishing, pointing out abandoned vessels, land-use practices impacting waterways and wetlands protections.

“There were lots of other boats out, a lot of people fishing. We saw an osprey and mullet jumping out of the water everywhere,” Samantha said. “(The Coltranes) had a sailboat until recently and were really appreciative of the ability to get out on the water.”

Though the Bay Rider has been in the water on multiple occasions since its purchase in June, the boat’s new name and Riverkeeper signage was just installed last week.

“This was a fun way to say thanks to someone who had a really clever name idea,” Samantha said. “We really appreciate everyone who donated to make this boat possible because it’s a really helpful tool for education and also to do our investigations.”

The name Riparianne is a play on words: riparian, meaning “relating to or situated on the banks of a river” or “relating to wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams.” Riparianne also looks and sounds like a woman’s name, which is a historical and cultural reference to the personification of ships as nurturing and protective entities and their association with goddesses and female figures in mythology.

Sound Rivers staff selected five names from the 124 names submitted during the contest; supporters then voted for their favorite, and Riparianne nudged out Sound Hound in a very close race.

The Smith Family Foundation, Park Boat Company in Washington, Bay Rider, friends of Sound Rivers and donations by Sound Rivers supporters funded Riparianne’s purchase. Thank you!

Like your Riverkeeping team being out on the water? They love to be there, patrolling the waterways! Donate today to support their next outing!