Rowan College Grad Aims To Build Sustainable Cruise Ships

Before he graduated from high school, Jaxson Bonsall already had a college degree. Now, he’s looking to build eco-friendly, sustainable cruise ships. Bonsall earned his associate’s degree from Rowan College at Burlington County just one month before he graduated from high school, according to the college.

During this time, he also worked at Radwell International as an electronics repair technician. He then went on to study ocean engineering at Virginia Tech.

“I decided to study at RCBC because I could get a jump start on my ambitions to study Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture,” Bonsall said. “Engineering seemed like a natural fit for me, as I have always enjoyed learning about how things are made, as well as engaging in practical, hands-on learning activities. Another plus is that studying at RCBC allowed me to earn my associate degree while still in high school at a very affordable tuition. The education I received at RCBC prepared me for my transition to Virginia Tech’s Engineering program.”

At Virginia Tech, Bonsall works on multiple design teams. This includes the Human Powered Submarine, where he improves safety mechanisms and electronic systems. His efforts directly impact both diver safety and the diver’s ability to navigate the submarine.

He is also a member of the Hyperloop Team, where he built and designed a vehicle that travels at speeds of over 300 miles per hour inside a vacuum tube. Bonsall’s maritime interests reach into his personal life as well, as he enjoys SCUBA diving during his free time and is a certified rescue diver; he’s working toward his master diver certification. He also enjoys snow and water skiing.

Bonsall hopes to someday work as a marine engineer and naval architect to design and build eco-friendly, sustainable cruise ships. His interest comes at a time when the maritime industry finds itself under increasing scrutiny due to emissions produced and associated health risks.

In fact, according to a recent study by the European think tank Transport & Environment, large cruise ships pollute 10 times more than all 260 million of Europe’s cars. Bonsall hopes to implement a sustainable solution to this growing problem.

“I've always been inspired by Elon Musk's pursuits to accelerate the transition to renewable energy with vehicles and power consumption, which in turn led me to pursue an interest in renewable energy transportation,” Bonsall said. “Additionally, I've always taken interest in water and any activity pertaining to it. In choosing this career path, I was able to combine my interests in working on ships and decreasing pollution to create a healthier living environment.”