Yet another successful voyage into the sub-Antarctic waters.
Yesterday, 11 October 2017, the Gough 62 Overwintering Team (see table below) returned safely from Gough Island. They left behind their medic, Tom McSherry, who will be replaced in January 2018. The welcoming ceremony was opened with a prayer by the chaplain of the take-over voyage, Sybrandt van Niekerk. The team was introduced to waiting relatives, friends and colleagues by the Deputy Director, Operations and Logistics (Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts), Chuma Phamoli. The ceremony was concluded with an informative speech concerning South Africa’s meteorological and scientific involvement on Gough Island, by Judy Beaumont, Deputy Director-General (Department of Environmental Affairs, Branch: Oceans and Coasts). Read more about Gough Island (read more).
ALSA is looking forward to receiving photographs from the Gough 62 team members to add to its online archive. Working towards a comprehensive online database, the photo collections of each team member will play an important role in helping to preserve South Africa’s involvement at Gough Island.
Every year during the Gough take-over voyage the S.A. Agulhas II also visits Tristan da Cunha. Tristanians have the opportunity to book a cabin on the ship and visit South Africa or return to their island. South Africans and visitors from other countries can also travel on the ship to Tristan da Cunha. Space on the ship is very limited and it is already fully booked until 2019. On this voyage an 82-year old Tristanian woman had to be evacuated from the island, as she had broken her hip. The S.A. Agulhas II crew successfully winched her down with the ship’s main crane on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. She was then taken to the Tokai Medicross. ALSA wishes her all the best for the surgery and a full and speedy recovery.
The S.A. Agulhas II will be departing to Antarctica around the end of November/beginning of December for the SANAE IV take-over. During this voyage the SANAE 57 Overwintering Team will be taken to their new home on the Antarctic Continent. This team will replace the current team (SANAE 56) and will return in February 2019.
Gough 62 Overwintering Team (click here)
Mr Charles Thomas Team Leader/Electrician
Mr Tebogo Saaiman Radio Technician
Mr Mthokozisi Mchunu Diesel Mechanic
Mr Elias Seabi Senior Meteorologist
Ms Nokwethaba Makhanya Assistant Meteorologist
Ms Khunjuzwa Hanebe Assistant Meteorologist
Mr David Kinchin-Smith Biologist (Birder)
Ms Emma Witcutt Biologist (Birder)
Mr Tom McSherry Medical Orderly (returning in January 2018)
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, 12 October 2017
