The S.A. Agulhas II is on her way to Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island

Yesterday was another exciting day at the East Pier of Cape Town Harbour, where 10 new Gough Island Overwintering Team members, together with the takeover personnel, departed on the S.A. Agulhas II.  The overwintering personnel will stay on Gough Island for 13 months and consist of one Medic, one Electrician, one Diesel Mechanic, one Radio Technician, three Birders (Ornithologists) and three Metkassies (Meteorologists). The takeover personnel will spend some time on Gough and Tristan da Cunha Islands. The team is accompanied by Dr Darren Green for the takeover period and he will also make sure that the overwintering team is mentally ready for the isolated year they will experience on Gough Island.

In the chaos of team members getting ready and going through passport control, I had the opportunity to meet the three biologists that are part of the overwintering team.  They are Emma Witcutt, David Kinchin-Smith and Phil Lambton, all from the United Kingdom. I also met the medic, Tom McSherry and he will be looking after the well being of the overwintering team. They are very excited for the adventure ahead and we wish them a pleasant year.

The aerial transport from the ship to Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha will be operated by the Starlite Aviation crew (see photo below).

Anché Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, 02 September 2016