Carl Hernandez from Port Protection – Biography, Life in Alaska, and Relationship with Morgan Turcott

Carl Hernandez is a fisherman, homesteader, and former cast member of the National Geographic series Port Protection. He appeared on the show from Season 5 through its final season, offering viewers a grounded look at life in a remote Southeast Alaskan community. Raised in Point Baker, just north of Port Protection, Carl represents a generation shaped by maritime subsistence, land-based resilience, and hands-on problem-solving. His work on the show and beyond captures a life built around boats, timber, and community ties—reflecting the values of a region where self-sufficiency is not a choice but a way of life.

Early Life and Background

Carl “Carlos” Hernandez was born in May 1989 and raised in Point Baker, Alaska, a remote town located just north of Port Protection. Carl’s upbringing in this environment laid the foundation for his deep familiarity with the region’s forestlands and waterways. From a young age, he adapted to the demanding lifestyle typical of Point Baker residents—one shaped by geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and a reliance on nature for survival.

Life in Point Baker centers around subsistence and maritime labor. Most residents are skilled in fishing, hunting, firewood collection, and small-scale construction. Without road access, locals depend on skiffs and floatplanes to reach other communities. Children often grow up learning how to handle boats, identify edible plants, clean fish, and assist in maintaining homesteads. This culture fosters independence and resilience, requiring individuals to be self-sufficient and adaptable in often harsh conditions.

For Carl, this meant developing hands-on knowledge of the land and sea, and an appreciation for hard-earned resources. His connection to the Alaskan wilderness is not just geographical—it’s personal and generational. His life centers on subsistence living, small-vessel navigation, and homebuilding.

Role on Port Protection

Carl made his debut on Port Protection in Season 5, appearing alongside his partner Morgan Turcott. He continued as a regular cast member through Season 8, the show’s final season. While the network did not issue an official cancellation, Port Protection concluded after eight seasons without a public renewal.

Credited as Carl Hernandez on IMDb, he is frequently shown engaged in essential survival tasks such as navigating waterways, processing firewood, and transporting materials. His appearances consistently reflect the practical skills required for life in the Alaskan wilderness and his active role within the community.

Life on the Water: East Rock to West Rock

In addition to his on-screen presence, Carl plays a vital role in the functioning of Port Protection. He operates water routes between the remote town and Petersburg. In a June 2025 video with YouTuber Mickey Ramos, Carl was seen captaining the “West Rock,” a larger boat purchased from his father, Don Hernandez. This transition marked the next step in a maritime legacy—Carl had previously captained the smaller “East Rock” before selling it.

Building a Life with Morgan Turcott

Carl has been involved in a multi-phase project to build a self-sustaining homestead with his partner, Morgan Turcott—a journey prominently featured during the later seasons of Port Protection. Inspired by Carl’s father, who constructed his own home using lumber milled on-site, the couple took on the challenge of installing and operating their own sawmill.

Their effort included reclaiming and restoring an old sawmill and building a reinforced deck to support it, as shown in the episode “When Disaster Strikes.” In 2021, Carl and Morgan were also seen addressing structural challenges to their float house, which had begun to sink. Carl explained that the float house had lost close to a foot of buoyancy since he purchased it, prompting efforts to stabilize it using 15-gallon barrels.

Their work, both on land and water, reflects not only their goal of producing lumber for future construction but also their intent to remain permanently rooted in the region. Carl approaches this endeavor with determination, acknowledging that each task—from applying creosote to pilings to cutting through rocky terrain—is a vital step toward what he calls “building our empire.”

Carl and Morgan’s relationship also became official online when they announced their engagement on December 25, 2022.

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A post shared by Carl Hernandez (@eastrockcarl)

In April 2024, Carl shared a heartfelt Instagram post referring to Morgan and their infant daughter as his “two favorite ladies”—a rare public glimpse into his family life and a reflection of his growing responsibilities at home.

Float House Life & Partnership with Morgan

The float house Carl shares with Morgan Turcott offers a close look at their off-grid reality. First featured in the 2022 episode “Float-House Resurrection” (Season 5, Episode 2), the float house had begun to sink after losing nearly a foot of buoyancy in just a few years. Carl explained that the house was supported by logs that had become waterlogged, and together, he and Morgan devised a plan to stabilize it using 15-gallon barrels and a series of tensioned ropes and cleats.

This hands-on repair effort showed not only their technical skill but also the dynamic of their partnership. Carl encouraged Morgan through trial-and-error efforts, reminding her that it was okay to struggle as they improvised flotation supports beneath the structure. Despite the physical and emotional strain, they managed to lift the house back to a safer level—ensuring it would last for several more years. Carl noted it could even serve another family after they eventually moved to their new homestead site.

Their shared living space, with its slanted floors and constant maintenance needs, became a symbol of their resilience and teamwork. Even their dogs featured in this narrative—losing toys under the tilted couch before repairs were completed.

Carl also voiced concern about the community’s future, expressing a sense of responsibility to preserve Port Protection’s legacy: “You can build a [bleep] world here still… you don’t have to go somewhere else to do that.”

Learning from Elders, Giving Back to Community

Carl recognizes the importance of intergenerational learning. “We’re constantly learning from the old timers that are still here and still active. It’s constant evolution” he says. “If you stop that forward progress, you’re not gonna make it.” He values the wisdom passed down from older community members and actively works to apply those lessons in his own life, from homebuilding to land stewardship.

Digital Presence and Public Engagement

Despite his off-grid lifestyle, Carl maintains a modest digital presence. On Instagram under the handle @eastrockcarl, he shares snapshots of daily life—marine travel, timber work, wildlife encounters, and scenes from homestead construction. These posts give fans a more intimate look at the challenges and beauty of life in Port Protection.