Don’t worry about the sharks

September 12, 2024 12:14 PM

I Stayed at This Coast Guard Station in the Middle of the Ocean. So Can You. [Outside; ungated]
posted by chavenet (14 comments total)

It’s the barracudas you might consider.

My high school Marine Biology teacher and her husband were scuba divers. She would definitely agree with this statement, 'cudas scared her way more than sharks.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:35 PM on September 12

I'm just going to point out that it is 32 nautical miles (as stated in the first caption of the article) off the NC coast. Middle of the Ocean is pushing it.
posted by Snowishberlin at 12:37 PM on September 12 [1 favorite]

But that's far enough to feel like it, especially to a landlubber.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:02 PM on September 12 [4 favorites]

I worked as a fire lookout in California for two seasons, and it was my favorite experience ever. I would stay here tomorrow.
posted by mykescipark at 1:37 PM on September 12 [3 favorites]

The Ocean is infinite; once you are out of sight of land, with no usable instruments, you are in the middle of it. It’s just the middle is really big and inclusive.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:27 PM on September 12 [12 favorites]

I was out of sight of land with W.C. Fields. With no usable instruments we were forced to play the accordion!
posted by stet at 2:59 PM on September 12 [8 favorites]

That was a really interesting read. I'm happy to know the owners want to keep it accessible to scientists instead of cashing in and squeezing every possible dollar out of it. Seems like a real labor of love to these guys. I'd love to visit for the stargazing and the absence of city noise.
posted by Kangaroo at 3:35 PM on September 12 [4 favorites]

Guests can sign up for a volunteer trip ($900)

This is a curious usage of the term "volunteer" that I am less familiar with.
posted by deadbilly at 4:02 PM on September 12 [4 favorites]

mykescipark, I've always wanted to do the Frying Pan as well as some time in a fire tower . . . I think, probably, for the same reasons, even if I can't always express what they are . . .
posted by pt68 at 4:33 PM on September 12

"I'm just going to point out that it is 32 nautical miles (as stated in the first caption of the article) off the NC coast. Middle of the Ocean is pushing it."

I'd be willing to bet that everyone on this site (and everyone reading the article) knows that the ocean is more than 64 miles across.
posted by jonathanhughes at 7:08 PM on September 12 [5 favorites]

I'd be willing to bet that everyone on this site (and everyone reading the article) knows that the ocean is more than 64 miles across.

And I'm willing to bet that if you actually visit this structure, you're going to feel like you're in the middle of the ocean.
posted by mollweide at 7:19 PM on September 12 [3 favorites]

While I'm in agreement with the mathematician/geographers that 32 nautical miles is not the middle of the ocean, this is still a big goddamned NOPE as far as I'm concerned. Out site of land? check. Lots of sea predators that will eat me? check. Meals mainly of seafood? check.
I'm glad there are people that love the ocean, but I live in Colorado FOR A REASON.
I think I'll go get some non seafood to eat and enjoy not swimming.
posted by evilDoug at 8:42 PM on September 12

Technically, Frying Pan is in international waters, so the owners could turn the tower into anything they want–a casino, a bordello, even its own sovereign nation. But they just want to make sure Frying Pan continues to be a resource to the maritime and scientific communities.

Look what happens when libertarians aren't put in charge.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 9:18 PM on September 12 [3 favorites]

technically the ocean is a volume so if you really wanted to be in the middle of it . . .
posted by logicpunk at 10:21 PM on September 12 [2 favorites]