Waterboat Point, Paradise Bay (WATE)

64˚49’S, 62˚51’W

Magnetic declination: 15.0˚E

Inventory subarea: NW

Inventory acronym: WATE

Species Diversity: LOW

Site Sensitivity: MODERATE     Note : Restricted visitor space.

 

Location — History — Features

This is the low, westernmost termination of the peninsula between Paradise Harbor and Andvord Bay on the W coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is the site of the Chilean Station González Videla. Waterboat Point is separated from the mainland at high water. The Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1898 first surveyed the coast in this vicinity. This particular point was surveyed and named by T. W. Bagshawe and M. C. Lester who lived here in a waterboat from 1921-22, while conducting studies of the on-site penguins. The area where they worked is roped off and noted by historical markers. The Station area is about 10-15 meters above sea level. The exposed face of a crevassed glacier lies just beyond the tombola — the causeway that connects the Station area to the mainland at low tide. The area around the edges of Paradise Bay is ruggedly mountainous and mainly covered with glaciers and snow, leaving a few nunataks and cliffs exposed. There are coast-line exposures of bedrock at the edge of the snow cover. There is no well-developed beach visible along the present shoreline, where bare bedrock is exposed at sea level below the snow and ice.

On site is an Historic Site and Monument, the hut in which the pioneering penguin biologists Bagshawe and Lester overwintered in 1921-22. The remains include the base of their waterboat, the roots of door posts, and an outline of the hut and extension; this two-man expedition was the smallest expedition to ever overwinter in Antarctica. Another Historic Site and Monument is a shelter erected in 1950 to honor Gabriel González Videla, the first Head of State to visit the Antarctic.

Landing Characteristics

The low, westernmost termination of the peninsula between Paradise Harbor and Andvord Bay, and site of the Chilean station Gabriel Gonzalez Videla , which is off limits to visitors. Separated from the mainland at high water. Landings on rocks or station jetty at N tip, or on rocks at far end of inner bay (“Coal Point”), on the mainland, in the vicinity of breeding penguins and a derelict station building. Restricted visitor space. Hazardous rocks in the inner bay may be exposed, depending on the tide. May be extensive snow cover early (perhaps, into January); extensive guano, mud, and snow melt later; and at all times slippery. Extensive glacier and snow fields (potentially crevassed) on mainland side of the inner bay. Snow cornices on the shoreline are unstable and treacherous.

Antarctic Site Inventory Effort

Visits by Antarctic Site Inventory researchers, 1994-2003:

1.    December 7, 1994    RN RD RP BH    Alla Tarasova

2.    February 3, 1996        RN RD RP BH    Livonia

3.    November 23, 1997    RN SF        W. Discoverer

4.    November 27, 1998    RN SF        Explorer

Assessment and monitoring. Surveyed, mapped, and photodocumented (aerial and terrestrial). Regular site-wide censusing of gentoo and chinstrap penguins.

Fauna — Flora — Censuses

Penguins & flying birds . Gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, and snowy sheathbills are confirmed breeders. Kelp gulls, skuas, spp., and blue-eyed shags also noted, but do not appear to nest immediately on site.

Antarctic Site Inventory censuses:

Chinstrap penguin (site-wide)

8    N1     1994 Dec

2    C1     1996 Feb

8    N1     1997 Nov

4    N1    1998 Nov

Gentoo penguin (site-wide)

1,455    N1    1997 Nov

 

Recent penguin census data reported in Woehler (1993): gentoo penguin, 700 C1, 1986; and chinstrap penguin, 28 N1, 1989. The number of chinstrap penguins has declined steadily since Bagshawe & Lester’s surveys in 1921-22 (350 A1, 1922, where the research station is now situated, and 225 A1, 1922, at Cola Point).

Seals . No seals observed.

Flora . Snow algae common on glacier front.

Conservation Aspects

Site sensitivities. Restricted visitor space among the gentoo penguins nesting in the vicinity of the station, around the inner bay, and on the mainland; they are easily approached and disturbed, especially in November and early December when adults will be incubating eggs; subsequently, adults will be guarding and provisioning chicks at the nest, then in crèche. Very restricted and cramped visitor space among the few chinstrap penguins still nesting at the N tip of the inner bay; they cannot be approached easily, but are easily disturbed, especially in November and early December when adults will be incubating eggs; subsequently, adults will be guarding and provisioning chicks. Snowy sheathbills nesting in vicinity of the station and at the derelict station building on the far side of the bay are easily approached and disturbed.

Pointers for avoiding disruptions.

• Walk slowly and carefully around nesting, crèching, or molting penguins.
• Do not impede penguins’ access to and from the water.
• If extensive snow cover, avoid — and do not walk in or block — trails that penguins have made through the snow.
• Avoid and stay clear of chinstrap penguins nesting at the N tip of the inner bay.
• Walk slowly and carefully around nesting sheathbills.
• If snow-, ice-, or mud-cover is extensive, strictly control visitors by organizing guided groups, all following the same path, avoiding any penguin trails, and not allowing any free wandering.
• Stay clear of — and do not hike upon or wander over — the glacier, snowfields, or snow cornices.

Visitation Aspects

Numbers of tourist zodiac landings and participating visitors, 1989-2003:

 

 

Proximate visitor sites . The Almirante Brown Station is to the S, further into Paradise Bay.