by Ria Olivier | Nov 6, 2020 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, SANAP, Science
Stephanus Schoeman
Current engineer at Marion Island is Stephanus Schoeman: “One of the five Marion Island first-timers is SANSA Space Weather Engineer Stephanus Schoeman. He will monitor and maintain systems, report on the status of different instruments, and develop new hardware and software to maximise efficiency, reliability and uptime of the systems.”
“On the island we have a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) scintillation receiver, magnetometer, Very Low Frequency (VLF) antenna with five different analytic systems, and a riometer,” he says.
Schoeman helped upgrade a tide gauge, which forms part of the International Tsunami Early Warning System. He also helped install a DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite) beacon, which helps satellites stay in orbit by compensating for loss of altitude due to atmospheric drag. Read the full article
SANSA has again an opportunity for an engineer at Marion Island for 2021/2020 . The applicants will be expected to
- Design and build new equipment
- Maintain and upgrade instrumentation.
- Install, commission, maintain, calibrate and modify electronic instruments and systems for the collection, reduction and analysis of data.
- Execute experiments related to Space Weather studies
- Give core engineering support.
Candidates must be physically fit, have sober habits, be mentally strong and prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work.
by Ria Olivier | Oct 20, 2020 | Announcement, Jobs, Marion Island, Overwintering Team, SANAP
Applications now open for Marion Island 2021-2022 season. Visit the Jobs page to see vacancies. Applications close first week of November.
Visit Gallery to see all Marion Team Photos and read more about the expedition and living on the island
Team Structure:
Medical Orderly
Diesel Mechanic
Electrical Engineer Technician
Communications Engineer/Technician
Environmental Officer and Assistant Environmental Officer
Senior Meteorological Technician and 2 Meteorological Technicians
Marion 77 Current Team Leader Winnie (left) and Deputy Team Leader Nkoane (right)
by Ria Olivier | Sep 25, 2020 | Fellowship, Legacy, Marion Island, SANAP, Science, sub-Antarctic, Uncategorised, Women in Science
Mariëtte Wheeler – regular freelancer for Antarctic Legacy of South Africa was born and bred a proud Pretorian girl. But my passion for the ocean developed throughout my childhood as my grandparents lived in Knysna. In my late teens I found myself staring at the ocean, wondering what it looks like beyond the horizon.
After completing my BSc, BSc honours and MSc in Zoology at the University of Port Elizabeth (currently Nelson Mandela University), I had the opportunity to explore beyond the horizon on Marion Island in 2004–2005 as a member of M61. My PhD was done through the University of Cape Town (with Prof Les Underhill and Dr Marienne de Villiers as supervisors) and University of Pretoria (with Prof Marthán Bester as supervisor). I investigated the effect of human disturbance on the seabirds and seals at Marion Island. My team mates of M61 called me the hybrid birder-sealer as I was fortunate to work on both. I have fond memories of working closely along with the other field workers. For my behavioural observations of the animals I spent days in the cold with semi-frozen fingers and toes, but it was fantastic to be so close to these animals in their natural environment. Chocolate and condensed milk saw me through for energy. I made great friends on this trip who have been standing by me through celebrations but also the difficult times in life.
For the second year of my study I had a field assistant Prideel Majiedt on Marion Island and I supervised from here. One of my best round island trips was during the take-over of 2005 with Prideel(right), Marienne and John Cooper. John and I summited a few of the Marion hills. In 2006 I went for take-over to conduct more research on the Wandering Albatrosses.
After completing my PhD in 2009, I worked for the Southern African Butterfly Conservation Assessment (SABCA) and M2 Environmental Connections (as an environmental consultant). Thereafter I first worked as the manager of the Conservation Leadership Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and then as Biodiversity Information Specialist. A highlight in my research career was to give two presentations on my PhD work at the International Polar Year (IPY) 2010 conference in Oslo, Norway. There I also became involved with the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). Later that year I was selected to be on the international Executive Committee (ExCom). After my term on the ExCom, I was still actively involved on the Council. In 2012, I was selected as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans.
On 27 February 2013, I received a phone call from Bruce Dyer asking if I would be interested to go to Marion Island as their one birder had withdrawn from the team. I had 24 hours to decide! Fortunately the timing was perfect as my contract with EWT was until the end of February. In April 2013 I sailed again to Marion Island as Department of Environment Affairs: Oceans and Coasts birder. What an amazing feeling to see Marion Island again! I therefore had the opportunity to travel on both the SA Agulhas and SA Agulhas II and to live in both the old base and the new base. My previous year on the island was during the construction time, so as a member of M70 I first experienced the isolation of only seeing the “Red Taxi II” a year later. I treasure memories of braai evenings in the braai room with its beautiful views, theme parties and unique hut radio communication.
After returning from the island, Prof Underhill suggested that I study education. In his words: “There is a difference between having been there to tell a child about an albatross, or just teaching from a textbook”. I completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the University of Cape Town in 2015. During this time I also worked ad hoc. for Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) through Facebook communication and spreading awareness at schools.
In 2016 I took up a post at Protea Heights Academy in Protea Heights (PHA), Brackenfell teaching Natural Sciences and Life Sciences. In 2018 I taught at a rural community school, Sterkspruit Christian Private School in what used to be Transkei. I lived in the picturesque Lady Grey at the foothills of the Drakensberg. In October 2018 I returned to PHA teaching Life Sciences.
PHA invited Antarctic Legacy of South Africa to take part in our Women In Science event August 2019, where Anche Louw presented on Marion Island to the school hall filled with primary and high school girls and female educators. At one point she asked learners who knew what an albatross looks like to put up their hands. Afterwards my learners proudly told me that they all had their hands up! In 2019 I was selected as 1st Runner up in the National Teacher’s Award for Excellent in Teaching Natural Sciences (GET) for Metro East and North Education Districts.
From 2020 PHA is one of the 6 nodal schools for the new Gr 10 to 12 subject Marine Sciences, in collaboration with Two Oceans Aquarium (the writers of the curriculum). I am now the departmental head of Marine Sciences, with Shaun Seaward as colleague. I am also teaching Life Sciences. Recently my learners were involved in the first World Albatross Day. Unfortunately due to COVID, plans that John Cooper and I had to get the entire school involved could not realise. With the international Great Albicake Bake Off as inspiration, I asked my learners (who were all still in lockdown) to make, bake, draw or paint anything creative provided that there was at least one albatross on. In this way they all learned more about albatrosses and enjoyed being creative. Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) sponsored posters and books as prizes.
I am blessed that I am able to combine both my passion in marine biology as well as education. Life does not always take you where you thought it would, and sometimes you struggle over symbolic lava such as found at Blackrocks Plateau. But if you “Just keep swimming” as Dory from Finding Nemo said, you will see beauty around you such as the flight of the albatross, a sunset at Swartkop amphitheatre or the smile of a learner. Text and images supplied by Mariette Wheeler. Visit the ALSA archive for more images of Mariette on Marion Island.
Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 25 September 2020.
by Ria Olivier | Sep 18, 2020 | Announcement, Current Event, Environment, Marion Island
Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries Media Release: International wildlife documentary series to be filmed on Marion Island – 16 September 2020
by Ria Olivier | Aug 21, 2020 | Antarctica, Gough Island, Marion Island, SANAP
A friend of mine once told me that I am a borne civil servant, and it turns out she was right. Although I got accepted at the University of the Free State to study civil engineering after I matriculated, at the time my parents lacked the financial means for me to go through with it, and so started my career in the civil service at the Department of Public Works in Bloemfontein. One year later I was awarded a study bursary, and completed a four-year part-time qualification in Public Management and Administration at the Free State Technikon. In 2000 I was promoted, relocated to Cape Town, and joined the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. This was the best decision I ever made. (Image left: Gough Island – Image right: Marion Island)
(Images L-R: offloading at SANAE depot – SANAE helipad Neumayer delegation – Day trip to Neumayer)
So, working in procurement and supply chain management at the Directorate: Antarctica and Islands, I became part of the SANAP family (that was the spirit in those days). My first opportunity to participate in the South African National Antarctic Programme came in 2002, and to Antarctica no less. Thrown in at the deep end, as part of fast-tracking the next generation of DCO’s, I was on my way to SANAE. During the next few years, I participated (and coordinated) in relief voyages to SANAE, Marion Island, and Gough Island. I was incredibly lucky to be mentored by people such as Henry Valentine, Adriaan Dreyer, and Sam Oosthuizen. Their passion for the Programme was unmistaken and they taught me what SANAP was all about.
(Images L-R: Initiation ceremony onboard the SA Agulhas – DEAT team Marion Island – Gough Island Captain’s visit)
Since my early years I had a keen interest in construction and that led me to end my career in the public sector, and in 2006 I ventured into the unknown. I knew that to successfully manage a business you have to learn from the bottom up. So, I enrolled for a plumbing qualification at a Northlink College. Suddenly I found myself in a man’s world, and it took some convincing to secure an apprenticeship. Despite being a woman in my mid-thirties I insisted on no preferential treatment, and for the following 6 months I was spending my days digging trenches and chasing walls. My efforts paid off, and months later I was the owner of that very same business!
Turns out SANAP is my “Hotel California” and how true is the lyrics of the song. I checked out of my job at SANAP years earlier, but it seems I could never leave. In 2010 I placed everything on hold and jumped at the opportunity to spend the entire construction voyage (5 months) on Marion Island and to be one of the first occupants of the new Marion Island base. Appointed as Laboratory Manager by the CIB at Stellenbosch University, I coordinated the relocation and setup of the new laboratory facilities. Whilst on Marion, my passion for the Programme was rekindled and I vowed to return one day (one day turned out be 2019). Back home, and in between managing my own business, I enrolled at UNISA for a degree in Environmental Management. (Image top left: Marion Island construction voyage – Image top right: Time to relax with Hein Smith,Linda Clokie and Adriaan Dreyer).
When I look back, I realize how lucky I am to be able to draw on a wide range of expertise accumulated over the years. I honestly believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. Many people will insist that one needs to maintain a narrow focus to be successful, but I don’t agree with this view. Many of us have broad interests (this is certainly true for me), and I have lived most of my passions to the fullest. I am particularly proud of so far conquering two of the seven summits. My advice would be to live and pursue all of your interest to the fullest, and then push the boundaries and do even more. (Image left: Summit Mount Kilimanjaro).
I still participate in SANAP whenever possible, the most recent trip being the 2019 Marion Island relief voyage. Currently I live and work in Johannesburg, and under the supervision of Prof David Hedding (UNISA) I will complete my Hons in Geography this year. My project is linked to Marion Island spatial data – full circle back to SANAP.
Text and images supplied by Sandra Durand (ALSA will submit these images to the digital archive)
by Ria Olivier | May 22, 2020 | Antarctica, Gough Island, Marion Island, SANAP, sub-Antarctic
Otto Whitehead is an ecologist who enjoys making films about people and nature. The Antartic Legacy of South Africa(ALSA) shows his video’s during public lectures and South Africa National Antarctic programme (SANAP) overwinter team training . These video’s and images of Otto Whitehead are a huge contribution in promoting and preserving South Africa’s Legacy of the Antarctic region.
What is your involvement with SANAP?
I was privileged to overwinter on Marion Island in 2011/12 as a seabird researcher, which to date has been the most profound experience of my life. I collected data towards a PhD on the foraging ecology of crested penguins, which I completed in 2017. I have since remained involved in the sub-Antarctic community through a post-doctoral fellowship at the South African National Biodiversity Institute where I led the sub-Antarctic chapter of the 2018 National Biodiversity Assessment.
In 2017, I assisted National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak on a shoot to document Marion Island’s incredible seabird diversity, during which we received enormous support from SANAP. Images from the trip were published in the July 2018 issue of National Geographic Magazine as part of a global seabird story. (On Marion Island left: Thomas Peschak, right: Otto Whitehead )
(Images during 2011/2012 on Marion Island. L-R: Ice Plateau, Amphitheatre, Mascarin Summit)I have also really enjoyed being able to share my images and video from my time on Marion with initiatives promoting the conservation of this special part of the planet, such as Mouse Free Marion and the new Sentinels of the South exhibition at the Iziko Museum and the ALSA digital repository.
How did you get interested in photography and film-making?
Otto in Peru
I’m one of those types who have always admired Sir David Attenborough documentaries, so when I found out I was going to Marion I knew I had to get a camera. I used 10 months worth of savings earned sorting freshwater invertebrates under a microscope to buy a Canon 550D – one of the first “cheapie” SLRs to have video. I took full advantage of its option to record moving images and was soon learning how to edit films so I could share my experiences with friends and family back on the continent. This flame very quickly evolved into a veld fire and I became convinced that I was going to spend the rest of my life telling science and conservation stories. Since then I have been fortunate to work with Thomas Peschak on six National Geographic assignments to all sorts of weird and wonderful corners of the planet. These trips have greatly deepened my love for ecology and storytelling.
What is your advice to early career scientists and science communicators?
Marion 68 2011/2012
Marion Island remains the most incredible place I’ve ever been to, partly because of the sheer isolation for an extended period of time. It really gives you time to think and exposes you to a realm of wildness that cannot easily be found. If you ever get the opportunity to do research or work on Marion or Gough or in the Antarctic, take it with arms wide open! You’ll learn and grow so much more than you could ever know.
Visit Otto’s website www.ottowhitehead.com and Instagram @ottowhitehead (Text and images supplied by Otto Whitehead. Teamphoto from SANAP website)
Macaroni Penguin
Yellow-nosed Albatross
SANSA has again an opportunity for an engineer at Marion Island for 2021/2020 . The applicants will be expected to
Applications now open for Marion Island 2021-2022 season. Visit the 
Mariëtte Wheeler – regular freelancer for Antarctic Legacy of South Africa was born and bred a proud Pretorian girl. But my passion for the ocean developed throughout my childhood as my grandparents lived in Knysna. In my late teens I found myself staring at the ocean, wondering what it looks like beyond the horizon.
For the second year of my study I had a field assistant Prideel Majiedt on Marion Island and I supervised from here. One of my best round island trips was during the take-over of 2005 with Prideel(right), Marienne and John Cooper. John and I summited a few of the Marion hills. In 2006 I went for take-over to conduct more research on the Wandering Albatrosses.
On 27 February 2013, I received a phone call from Bruce Dyer asking if I would be interested to go to Marion Island as their one birder had withdrawn from the team. I had 24 hours to decide! Fortunately the timing was perfect as my contract with EWT was until the end of February. In April 2013 I sailed again to Marion Island as Department of Environment Affairs: Oceans and Coasts birder. What an amazing feeling to see Marion Island again! I therefore had the opportunity to travel on both the SA Agulhas and SA Agulhas II and to live in both the old base and the new base. My previous year on the island was during the construction time, so as a member of M70 I first experienced the isolation of only seeing the “Red Taxi II” a year later. I treasure memories of braai evenings in the braai room with its beautiful views, theme parties and unique hut radio communication.
In 2016 I took up a post at 
From 2020 PHA is one of the 6 nodal schools for the new Gr 10 to 12 subject Marine Sciences, in collaboration with Two Oceans Aquarium (the writers of the curriculum). I am now the departmental head of Marine Sciences, with Shaun Seaward as colleague. I am also teaching Life Sciences. Recently my learners were involved in the first World Albatross Day. Unfortunately due to COVID, plans that John Cooper and I had to get the entire school involved could not realise. With the international Great Albicake Bake Off as inspiration, I asked my learners (who were all still in lockdown) to make, bake, draw or paint anything creative provided that there was at least one albatross on. In this way they all learned more about albatrosses and enjoyed being creative. 
Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries Media Release: International wildlife documentary series to be filmed on Marion Island – 16 September 2020
A friend of mine once told me that I am a borne civil servant, and it turns out she was right. Although I got accepted at the 
(Images L-R: offloading at SANAE depot – SANAE helipad Neumayer delegation – Day trip to Neumayer)
(Images L-R: Initiation ceremony onboard the 
Turns out SANAP is my “
When I look back, I realize how lucky I am to be able to draw on a wide range of expertise accumulated over the years. I honestly believe that you can do anything you put your mind to. Many people will insist that one needs to maintain a narrow focus to be successful, but I don’t agree with this view. Many of us have broad interests (this is certainly true for me), and I have lived most of my passions to the fullest. I am particularly proud of so far conquering two of the seven summits. My advice would be to live and pursue all of your interest to the fullest, and then push the boundaries and do even more. (Image left: 
Currently I live and work in Johannesburg, and under the supervision of 
In 2017, I assisted National Geographic photographer Thomas Peschak on a shoot to document Marion Island’s incredible seabird diversity, during which we received enormous support from SANAP. Images from the trip were published in the July 2018 issue of 
(Images during 2011/2012 on Marion Island. L-R: Ice Plateau, Amphitheatre, Mascarin Summit)I have also really enjoyed being able to share my images and 
