Resupplying Farallones Researchers

San Francisco Bay sailor Seymour Dodds and friends ventured offshore this weekend ‘on a mission’: to resupply the researchers working on lonely Southeast Farallon Island with food, and yes, a few beers. After all, ornithologists and marine biologists are human too. 

Dodds made the trip aboard Jim Bewley’s SC50 Another Girl, as part of the ongoing support offered by the volunteer Farallon Patrol. In addition to bringing out five ‘fresh’ scientists to Southeast Farallon who’ll do bird and shark studies, there was a special guest aboard: "My goal was to get Jim Antrim ashore on the island," says Dodds. "Through the years he’s rounded them something like 70 times." But he’d never before been ashore. "His walking tour exceeded all expectations, and he returned with a massive smile." (Normally visiting sailors are not allowed ashore.)

Perched near the edge of the Continental Shelf roughly 30 miles west of the Golden Gate, the Farallones are regarded as one of the most diverse marine habitats in the world, earning them the nickname ‘California’s Galapagos’. If you’d like to get involved with the Farallon Patrol, check out their website. We hear they may be looking for a few good boats to assist with resupply missions.