From glossy superyachts to frosty heritage huts

15/04/2024

Conservation carpenter Pete Townsend reflects on the differences – and similarities – between working on the world’s most expensive superyachts and the world’s southernmost post office.

After spending many years as a carpenter onboard some of the most prestigious superyachts in glamourous places, heritage carpentry on 80-year-old huts at a base in Antarctica seemed like a completely different kettle of fish; turns out, they’re not so different after all… 

Arriving at Port Lockroy was like joining a new yacht. Goudier Island is roughly the size of a football pitch which is a similar length to the last yacht I worked on.

Pete arrived at Port Lockroy later in the season (Credit: UKAHT/Pete Townsend)

The Nissen Hut – where we all lived – was like the crew accommodation; the bunk room was our cabin; and the living area was our crew mess. Bransfield House is like the guest areas. You must be very careful around everything but instead of being state-of-the-art, immaculate and expensive, it's vintage, fragile and priceless – our bases have historic value instead.

The Boatshed was like my workshop. All the tools and materials were stored in there and I was able to set up a small workbench in the back. The penguins represented the guests: nice to look at but you must keep your distance and not disturb them which makes your job much harder, slower or even impossible! And finally, the base team, we were, of course, the crew.

A clear day at Port Lockroy (Credit: UKAHT/Pete Townsend)

Al and I arrived six weeks after the crew at the base which meant integrating into the way of life they had already established. This was very easy to do as we were welcomed with open arms and an entirely in-tune rendition of Silent Night (we arrived on Christmas Day). We were quickly brought up to speed on the shorthand and inside jokes that had developed. ‘Captain’ Bridie then developed a new daily duty schedule to include the extra hands and gave us a familiarisation tour. 

Just like being at sea, when things get damaged you must fix them with the tools and materials you have onboard – Screwfix doesn’t deliver to Antarctica. Although we had planned jobs and had a theoretical process to follow, plan A or B very rarely worked so the ability to adapt and problem-solve using whatever you have at hand was critical.

The similarities with boat life continued with the day-to-day challenges of having all your tools in one place (normally right in the bow and in this case, the Boatshed), yet working in a different building across the Island. This was exacerbated by the boot-cleaning process every time you enter a building after walking through all the guano! Similar to constantly taking my shoes on and off when going in and out of guest areas. 

Teamwork makes the dream work (Credit: UKAHT/Pete Townsend)

Although technically we were the guests on the island, just like yacht guests, the penguins (and the occasional seal) very much took priority. As well as timing our work with the weather, we also had to plan our jobs around the nesting of the gentoos. As an example, we had to wait until later in the season once the chicks started leaving the nests to access the windows that needed stripping and re-painting. 

As we were effectively at ‘port’ on the island, the main form of communication for all of us was VHF, as used by all the ships and yachts in the area. All the team had become proficient at using it by the time we arrived.

Pete and Al (Credit: UKAHT/Pete Townsend)

The most similar aspect of the whole experience though was our relationship with each other. Being able to work, live and socialise with only each other in such close quarters is an experience most people don’t usually get to have. 

It isn’t without its challenges, the ability to come into the hut after working all day and leaving it at the door and go into family dinner mode and play games in the evening as friends and roommates instead of colleagues for example is so important. It's the small things like that which everyone was amazing at which made the whole time out there an incredible and enjoyable experience. 

It was by far the best “yacht” I have ever worked on.

– Pete Townsend, conservation carpenter at Port Lockroy