Planet Money · Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Liz Waters, who worked as a dispensing and ship's store officer at McMurdo Station in the 1980s, describes her role managing the base's general store. She highlights the logistical challenges, such as ordering merchandise that could take six months to arrive, and the necessity of such services for the station's personnel.
“Liz ran the Antarctic store, which means she ordered the merchandise, which could take six months to arrive.”
“So people need to get paid and people need to be able to buy snacks and ball caps and stuff. So, you know, you need someone to run the store.”
“My name is Liz Waters. I was the dispensing officer and the ship's store officer.”