The Boathouse

The boathouse is a special place on station. It is located on the shore of Hero Inlet, overlooking Palmer Staion's fleet of Zodiac boats. The boats vary in sizes and accoutrements and are build up specially for the science groups that use them. All boats have two motors, two external gas tanks, a battery, a safety box with emergency supplies and a GPS unit. The birder boats are small and quick, with long range radios, nets and poles. The Dive boat has a rubber flooring, depth finder, and leapord seal alarm system. There are two boats with large platforms which are used by the mircobiologists and the krill scienctists. These boats are more complex with motorized winches, 50-75hp motors, nets, bottling equipment, computers, water pumps and various other tools and equipment. There is also a recreation boat built specially for recreation and maintenance projects. Lastly, is the Ocean Search and Rescue (OSAR) boat which is our newest boat with a 75hp motor, long range radio, emergency gear and other safety equipment.

The boathouse itself is large and spacious. One side has a rack with 9 extra motors stored and ready for action. The motors range from 9.9hp to 75hp, are four stroke Yamahas, and turn key ignition. Pretty sweet. The boathouse is large enough to fit one fully inflated Zodiac comfortably, though I have fit two at a time. There is a computer, for monitoring weather and checking email. Lots of tools and hoists, safety gear, ropes and boating things.

All are welcome in the boathouse. Right now it is littered with SAR caches, which are blue barrels filled with survival gear, stored out at various islands to be used in case of emergency. I am in the process of retrieving them, changing out expired items and replacing them back on the islands. There is music in the boathouse so indoor activities are almost just as fun as outdoor ones. It is also the muster station in case of a fire. There is a hammock in the boathouse, though an upside down Zodiac is a much more comfortable bed in case a night needs to be spent with the boats. This happens from time to time in bad weather.

The boathouse has a deck overlooking the inlet and a ramp for easy access. It is a place in constant flux. Boats are in and out of the shop, motors are being torn apart, platforms fixed, people gathered. It has seen a lot of action and will likely see much more.