by Ria Olivier | Nov 2, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Gough Island, Jobs, Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAE, SANAP, SAPolarRI, SAPRI, Science, Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic
As per job advertisement:
The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) is a research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
SAEON is mandated to establish and manage long-term environmental observatories; maintain reliable long-term environmental data sets; promote access to data for research and/or informed decision making; and contribute to capacity building.
This position is supported by the Department of Science and Innovation’s South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) programme and will be based in Cape Town.
A Senior Electronics Technician to provide technical and logistic support for the SAPRI programme’s various research and long-term monitoring activities in the offshore marine and Southern Ocean, sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica, conducted onboard South African and international research vessels.
Application Closing Date: 16 November 2022
Click here to view the position advert.
Read more about SAPRI:
South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI): Feedback and start of the Preparatory Phase
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa
by Ria Olivier | Oct 31, 2022 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, Research, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team member
The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2023 to May 2024)
Applications close between 7 November and 14 November 2022.
Click here: View the positions
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 31 October 2022.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 6, 2022 | Announcement, Geomorphology, Marion Island, News, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SANAP, Science, sub-Antarctic
In a new publication, An open access geospatial database for the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, by Elizabeth Rudolph, David William Hedding, Nico de Bruyn, and Werner Nel, open access is given to a geospatial database for both Marion Island and Prince Edward Island.
Click here to view the full suite of data: Prince Edward Islands Geospatial Database
This paper was presented at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research Open Science Conference 2022, in a poster format. Click here to view the poster.
Authors:
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 06 October 2022
by Ria Olivier | Sep 16, 2022 | Marion Island, Newsletters>Marion Island Newsletters, Overwintering Team, SANAP
Read inside this issue of the Wanderer
- Letter from the editors and news from our team leader
- Interviews – Meet the Leadership
- Fashionable field gear
- Circle of life – part 2: Change is inevitable
- Three musketeers – A decade and more to come
- Mouse-free Marion – a glimpse from an islander
- Island life
- July birthday celebrations
by Ria Olivier | Aug 1, 2022 | Announcement, Marion Island, Newsletters>Marion Island Newsletters, Research
The first newsletter of Marion 79 is now available online!
Inside this issue meet the team members, page through their memories and read more about:
- Circle of Life
- Do a tour of the Base; the Butternut Hotel
- The little Chomper – Sub-Antarctic fur seal pups
- Take-over Memories
- The Magical Island – Diary of a Marion First-Timer
Message from the Editor Elsa Van Ginkel: “Marion has been treating us well these past few months, the team is slowly becoming a family and we are truly looking forward to the rest of our overwintering period. I hope that this first edition of The Wanderer will keep you entertained! Enjoy.”
And Co-editor Tankiso Moso: “It is indeed a blessing and an achievement to be here. It has also been a great time so far: learning the work, getting to know each other as a team and getting used to the M79ers family. It’s going to be a good year!”
Click here to view/download the newsletter and see great shots taken by team members:
Click here to view more Marion Newsletters on the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Archive.
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 01 August 2022.
by Ria Olivier | Jun 25, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Current Event, International Days, Legacy, Marion Island, SA Agulhas II, Southern Ocean
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.
Images: supplied by Delicia Subramoney
Inside this issue meet the team members, page through their memories and read more about:
And Co-editor Tankiso Moso: “It is indeed a blessing and an achievement to be here. It has also been a great time so far: learning the work, getting to know each other as a team and getting used to the M79ers family. It’s going to be a good year!”
