The RV Hero, originally built as an Antarctic research vessel, was part of a salvage operation conducted by Ballard in 2022. Its storied past – shuttling researchers around the South Pole – ended in Washington state after being sold, several times over, to different interests. Unfortunately, the vessel eventually sunk whilst moored at Bay Center, WA. Ballard endeavored to preserve some of the items from the ship, eventually donating these to the Antarctican Society whose mission is to encourage increased appreciation of the global importance of Antarctica, and to share enthusiasm for the southern continent.
Jon Hardt, Area Manager for the Northwest Division, says “Ballard is pleased to be able to help preserve artifacts from the RV Hero and present them to the Antarctican Society. Not all vessels salvaged can be remembered in this way, but we are glad to make this contribution to the memory of this valued ship.”
Ballard removes the remainder of the the mast…
