The motor vessel Tiglax is essential to managing the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and collecting information on related marine resources. It is used mainly to transport Service personnel, equipment, and supplies between work sites throughout the refuge. These scientists monitor seabird colonies, work on re-establishing endangered species, survey habitats, identify archeological and historical resources, monitor human impacts on habitat and populations, attempt to control some invasive species, and maintain remote field facilities. It is also a seagoing research platform for personnel working on various projects within the refuge. The Tiglax spends 160-200 days at sea covering as many as 15,000 nautical miles in traveling from its home port in Homer, Alaska to Attu Island at the extreme west end of the Aleutian Island Chain as well as north in the Bering Sea to the Pribilof Islands, St. Matthew and St. Lawrence Islands. As Captain Bell says,"these are the last island wilderness on earth"
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