Living Quarters
Housing on Palmyra Atoll consists of simple cabins each with two single beds, screened windows, a fan, and shared wardrobe. The screened-in galley and dining area looks out toward the water and has picnic tables for dining and lounging. Meals are prepared by kitchen staff that strives to take into account special dietary requirements. Visiting researchers may be asked to contribute to kitchen clean up duties. The availability of fresh food and produce is limited by charter flight capacity and frequency. There is a shower house with changing rooms, sinks, and hot and cold running water, as well as a building with four flush toilet rooms. Electricity is provided by a generator that runs continuously.
Research Facilities and EquipmentThe research lab is a single, large room in a temperature-controlled building. The lab is equipped with tall and short lab benches, tables, sinks, limited glassware, and a fume hood. At present there are no wet lab facilities at the station.
Researchers can prearrange to borrow dive equipment including regulators, wet suits, and BCD’s from the station or may wish to bring their own. SCUBA tanks, kayaks, and life jackets are available for check out. An air compressor with a cascade system is used to fill standard SCUBA tanks with air. Palmyra is not currently equipped for nitrox or other mixed-gas diving. Small skiffs are available to researchers for lagoon research. For open-water studies, researchers may reserve use of a 26-foot boat along with the station’s boat captain.
Communications
Wireless internet is available in many areas of the station, and both wired and wireless internet access are provided in the research lab. Due to limited bandwidth on the atoll, consistent internet-based communication is not guaranteed. A satellite phone is available for emergency purposes.
Mail can be sent and received an average of twice a month when charter flights land on the atoll, but sending items this way can be unreliable and unpredictable. Visitors to the atoll are encouraged to bring everything they need with them and send large, heavy items ahead of time on the semi-annual barge run.
