Originally posted by Lord Douglias:

Rapier, I do stow away the boat in a chest sometimes, but for ore runs I always keep the longboat ready on the shore near my teleporter. That way I can drop the ore in the ships hold at end of each day till its full. Saves the painful task of loading all the ore before sailing home and then having the wind turn before I even embark. But yes I will build walls around my ship's workbench next time. Thx!

might also consider putting the workbench up in a tree. That way only ranged attacks can get at it. I'm pretty sure the no-de-spawn zone around it is a colum, every other warding effect is, so you don't have to worry about putting the bench too high.