The S.A. Agulhas II is getting ready for departure on the 5th SEAmester cruise. The expected time of departure is today, 27 July 2022.
37 students from 14 national higher education institutions and 1 international institution, were selected for SA’s class afloat which is an 11-day marine science winter school onboard the S.A. Agulhas II. The cruise will take part along the South African coast and across the Agulhas current to the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. Students will be exposed to hands-on ship-based deck activities, as well as traditional classroom lectures.
Places of origin – 31 of the 37 students indicated where they originally come from.
Day of the Seafarer, launched in 2011, is a day to pay tribute to all those working in the maritime industry. This year’s theme is ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’.
Seafarers play a crucial role in the South African National Antarctic Programme.
I had the opportunity to come in contact with the newly promoted Chief Officer Subramoney, working for African Marine Solutions (AMSOL). AMSOL manages the South African polar research and supply vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II, and the Algoa research vessel.
This is the journey of Chief Officer Delicia Subramoney
THEN and NOW – from cadet to Chief Officer
My journey started as a trainee (cadet) onboard the SA Agulhas II. I joined the vessel on its maiden voyage from Finland (click here, for images). I’ve fulfilled all navigational ranks onboard such as 3rd officer and 2nd officer, whilst working with AMSOL. And 10 years later, promoted to Chief Officer. It’s been a very challenging yet rewarding journey stepping onboard as Chief Officer and being a part of senior management after all these years.
Was becoming a seafarer always your dream?
Yes, I was introduced to the career and encouraged to apply for maritime studies at a very young age, due to my love for the sea and strong-willed characteristics. I began my maritime and seafarer career at the Durban University of Technology in 2011 and I’ve been at sea for 10 years.
Any special places you’ve visited while working onboard the S.A. Agulhas II?
South Georgia will always be my ultimate experience. I’ve never experienced a place more serene and beautiful.
Describe a typical day as Chief Officer onboard the S.A. Agulhas II?
The chief officer on board is responsible for safety and security, and managing the deck department and its operations. A typical day involves a lot of running around, safety discussions, organizing operations, and a ridiculous amount of coffee.
Being a seafarer can get really tough at times, what are the challenges of being a seafarer?
There’s honestly too much to mention. The maritime industry is faced with so many challenges, and at the same time quite neglected. It was especially difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic with an extended tour of duties, restrictions on shore leave, not being able to see your family, commercial pressure, and an overall stressful environment. I think the overall challenge for me is managing stress in such a demanding environment. Having a land-based job makes it a bit easier because you have access to family, friends, and other facilities that help you destress. However, being on a ship for long periods of time becomes an overwhelming cycle.
Some last words:
My journey at sea has shaped me into the person I am today. Being a seafarer exposes you to extreme conditions. It is very challenging but at the same time contributes to your personal growth. Being a woman at sea, I feel it is my responsibility to make the environment better for the next generation. I hope that all seafarers, especially women, that come into this career can leave their mark and contribute to a more equal and diverse system. Nothing on a ship is more important than a healthy working space and teamwork. It’s not just one person’s responsibility to run the ship, it’s the officers, crew, catering staff, engineers, cadets, etc – and I am thankful for all that I have worked with and continue to learn from!
To Chief Officer Delicia Subramoney and the rest of the crew onboard the S.A. Agulhas II
Thank you for pursuing this vital career in the marine industry. Thank you for ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers boarding the vessel.
Check out the video below by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 25 June 2022.
Midwinter’s Day (21 June) is celebrated by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) overwintering teams on Antarctica (SANAE 61), Marion Island (Marion 79), and Gough Island (Gough 67).
Midwinter is the shortest day, and for those on Antarctica, the darkest day, of the year.
Overwintering teams from all over the world send greeting cards to each other, to family and friends, and to their national Antarctic program communities. We received greeting cards from the three SANAP overwintering teams, wishing all of you a happy midwinter!
Midwinter greetings from the 79th overwintering team on South Africa’s sub-Antarctic Marion Island.
On Antarctica, Midwinter is the midpoint of a time of darkness and extreme isolation and the SANAE team will also celebrate this today!
Midwinter greetings from the 61st SANAE Overwintering Team, on Antarctica.
Midwinter greeting from the 67th Gough Island Overwintering team!
We asked the teams what their plans are for today:
Marion Island: “We are having a nice braai and midwinter games”.
Gough Island: “We have actually already started our own midwinter tournament knockouts (with our semifinals and finals today)! We have a number of events including pool, table tennis, darts, fuzzball, checkers, chess and Mario Cart (TV game).
Quite an exciting lineup”.
SANAE IV: “We will celebrate with some midwinter games”.
The S.A. Agulhas II departed from East Pier, V&A Waterfront on her annual Marion Island relief voyage, Sunday 17 April 2022. The expected time of arrival at the island is today, 21 April 2022.
The first leg of the voyage, Oceanographic Leg 1, from Cape Town to Marion Island, was dedicated to underway sampling (the vessel did not stop for sampling to take place).
Once at the island, take-over operations will commence immediately (weather permitting) – all land-based scientists, National Department of Public Works (NDPW) personnel, and take-over personnel (DFFE) will disembark. Cargo will be slung with helicopters to the island and fuel will be pumped to the island. Hereafter, the vessel will depart from Marion Island on the 2nd Oceanographic leg (annual Research and Monitoring programme around the Prince Edward Islands). The 3rd Oceanographic leg will commence after take-over, on the way back to Cape Town.
What is planned for the 2022 take-over on Marion Island (land-based)
base and hut maintenance (NDPW)
base and hut restock
take-over function
79th Marion Island overwintering team (meet the team in next article) to take over from 78th Marion Island overwintering team (M78 – click here).
take-over projects – scientific fieldwork (see table below)
DFFE: Oceans and Coasts
Southern Ocean and Island Research Programme
Group Leader
Dr Azwianewi Makhado
BirdLife South Africa & University of Pretoria Department of Plant and Soil Sciences🔗
Longitudinal monitoring of terrestrial diversity to assess the effects of mouse eradiction on Marion Island, and bait and mouse trials to inform further planning for the project
University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP)🔗
Marion Island Marine Mammals in Changing Environments: lndividual Heterogeneity and Population Processes
What is planned for the take-over onboard the S.A. Agulhas II (ship-based)
DFFE: Ocean & Coasts Research
DFFE Ship-based Southern Ocean and Islands Research Programme
Ocean Physics: Group Leader
Mr Gavin Tutt
Ocean Chemistry: Group Leader
Dr Thato Mtshali
Ocean Biological: Group Leader
Mr Henry Kakora
DFFE:Ocean & Coasts, University of Cape Town, Bayworld Centre for Research & Education
SAMOC-SA
Group Leader
Mr. Grant van der Heever
University of Pretoria
Enhanced insights regarding the ecology, evolution, and function of marine microbiomes
Group Leader
Mr Choaro Dithugoe
Land-based DFFE and other take-over personnel
Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support
Management, logistics and support for this voyage
Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship, The Endurance was crushed and sank to the ocean floor, in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica (1915). Read more here.
The Endurance was found at a depth of 3008 meters in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. Image Credit: Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust/National Geographic
The South African (Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) owned research and supply vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II (managed and operated by African Marine Solutions), is currently in the Weddell Sea, chartered by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust to locate the sunken ship of Shackleton. The Endurance 22 Expedition made an official press release earlier today, announcing that The Endurance has been found and successfully surveyed and filmed for research purposes. Read the press release on Endurance 22 here.
Congratulations to all the different research teams on board and to the captain of the vessel, Captain Knowledge Bengu, and his crew that ensured the safety of all passengers.
After the unsuccessful Weddell Sea Expedition in 2019, these are the proud individuals (including Captain Knowledge Bengu, Ice Pilot Captain Freddie Ligthelm and many S.A. Agulhas II crew members) that were able to join this second and very successful hunt for Shackleton’s Endurance.
L-R: James-John Matthee, John Shears, Annie Bekker, Pierre Le Gall, Mensun Bound, Chad Bonin. Image Credit: Chad Bonin.
Before heading to Cape Town, with only 3 days left of the original charter time, the S.A. Agulhas II is now on her way to South Georgia, the burial place of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton.
This vessel, currently chartered by the Falklands Heritage Trust to locate the sunken ship of Shackleton, is in the Weddell Sea at the coordinates last recorded by Shackleton’s crew before the ship sank. Read more about thie Endurance22 expedition here.
The vessel is in the experienced hands of Captain Knowledge Bengu. Captain Bengu is supported by Captain Michael Mdluli, Ice Pilot Captain Freddie Ligthelm, Chief Officer Reagan Paul, and a crew of 43 South African seafarers. The Chief Engineer on the cruise is Themba Tshongweni, who leads a team of marine engineers and technical support personnel, responsible for optimising the vessel’s performance during the cruise.
