Click here to view the preliminary schedules for the S.A. Agulhas II, now until 2021.
Please note that all departure times from Cape Town will be 14:00 (logistics Voyages only).
All schedules are subject to change.
Enquiries to be directed to N. Devanunthan – 021 4059482
Author: Anche Louw (Antarctic Legacy of South Africa), 08 October 2018[:]
63rd Gough Island Overwintering team ready to leave the island. Photo received from: Michelle Risi
The S.A. Agulhas II has departed from Gough Island, yesterday afternoon.
The 64th Gough Island overwintering team will now do the honours of taking care of the South African weather station and the collection of various field and meteorological data.
We would like to wish the team a successful year on the island. May you prosper and achieve all the goals set for you during this take-over.
The S.A. Agulhas II is currently on her way to Tristan da Cunha, where a 48 hour stop-over will made to back-load cargo and passengers. The expected time of departure (ETD) at Tristan da Cunha is 06 October 2018 and the expected time of arrival (ETA) in Cape Town is 11 October 2018.
The 64th Gough Island Overwintering team excited to take over the responsibilities of managing and maintaining the Gough Base for the next 13 months. Photo credit: Michelle Risi
Author: Anche Louw (Antarctic Legacy of South Africa), 02 October 2018
In memory of Ms Edna Molewa, who passed away on 22 September 2018, South Africa’s National flag at the SANAP research stations on Marion Island, Gough Island and Antarctica will be flown at halfmast.
Please click here for memorial and funeral service dates.
Click on the event for more details…
As South Africans we celebrate our Heritage during the month of September. Also, during the second last week of September all over the globe researchers celebrate ‘International Polar Week’. In 2017 Antarctic Legacy of South Africa came up with a slogan to combine the two celebrations: “Celebrating South Africa’s Polar Heritage’.
This slogan is to remind all South Africans of our involvement in the Antarctic region since 1947/1948, when South Africa Annexed the sub-Antarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands. In 1955 the first South African (Hannes la Grange) set foot on the Antarctic Continent and the foundation was laid for all future South African Antarctic expeditions. On 3 December 1959 South Africa’s first Antarctic overwintering team (South African National Antarctic Expedition – SANAE1) departed from Cape Town Harbour on the Polarbjørn.
| Organiser | Event | Location | Date | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APECS-SA | Talk: CHEMTAX determination of southern ocean phytoplankton distribution and adaptation. | Stellenbosch University, Geology Building, de Kock Venue (room 1004), 13:00 - 13:50 | 17 September | Click here |
| APECS-SA | Series of talks that involves the sub-Antarctic Marion Island and Antarctica. | University of Pretoria, Geography building, (Hatfield campus), 12:30-13:20 | 17 - 21 September | Click here |
| APECS-SA | Talk: Life on Marion Island and Stellenbosch's legacy in Antarctic research. | Stellenbosch University, Department of Botany and Zoology, Room 206 (The Broom), 13:00 - 14:00 | 21 September | Click here |
| Iziko Museums of South Africa (ALSA supplied material) | Antarctic related activities in the Marion Island Exhibition area (ground floor). | Iziko Museum - Cape Town | 24 September | Click here |
Why is ‘Polar Week’ celebrated in September (and also in March)?
“The equinoxes in September and March are the only time when everywhere on earth the day length is 12 hours, a perfect opportunity to celebrate the poles on a global scale!” (APECS – Association of Polar Early Career Scientists).
Click here to see where Antarctic Legacy of South Africa was in involved in 2017.
Author: Anche Louw (Antarctic Legacy of South Africa), 14 September 2018
East Pier Shed, East Pier Lane,
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town,
South Africa