Jet boat under repair

Tug and Barge Operations

High seas tug and barge operations were essential for the supply and provisioning of PERL, and all of these operations were initiated, maintained, and captained by Dr. Martin J. Vitousek, PhD.  Photographed above is the US Navy 108' diesel-electric tug, as well as a dry and liquid cargo barge, and an open deck barge, that Dr. Vitousek procured as United States government surplus materiel.  The tug was used to tow the barges from Hawaii to Tabuaeran (Fanning) carrying fuel, construction materiel, electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, furniture, as well as food and basic supplies.  At one time the tug was moored in the middle of English Harbour at the main entrance to the lagoon, where tidal currents can reach eight knots, so that as the propeller turned in current the electrical motor was used to make electricity which, in turn, was experimentally used to make hydrogen fuel.   Unfortunately, during one of Dr. Vitousek's absences from the island the worker who was hired to maintain the bilge pumps on the tug failed to do so and therefore the tug sank at its lagoon mooring.

Lagoon and Inshore Use Vessels

Vessels were essential for transportation within the lagoon and the inshore ocean areas for data collection, and general research purposes, as well as for the transportation of staff between the two villages, one named Nabari and located adjacent to the Cable Station, and the other named Bairau south of the main cut at English Harbour.  Photographed at the left are some of the collection of boats that were obtained as United States government surplus materiel, and below are photographed four U.S. Navy sailboats which were refitted for data collection use, as well as two U.S. Navy launches which were frequently used for transportation of personnel between the island's two villages.

US Navy Tender

Aluminum boat

     
    US Navy Sailboats used for Data Collection                       US Navy 50' Wooden Launch                                 US Navy 50' Wooden Launch