Announcing the S.A. Agulhas II Voyage Schedule for 2025/2026

Announcing the S.A. Agulhas II Voyage Schedule for 2025/2026

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is pleased to announce the upcoming voyage schedule for the S.A. Agulhas II for the 2025/2026 season. This state-of-the-art polar research and supply vessel will continue its vital role in supporting South Africa’s research stations in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Below is the planned itinerary provided by the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment:

DOWNLOAD PDF Voyage Schedule 2025-2026

DOWNLOAD PDF Voyage Schedule 2026 – 2027

Please note that these dates are subject to change based on operational requirements and weather conditions. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official voyage schedule on the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) website.
SANAP
We look forward to another successful season of exploration and research, furthering our understanding of these remote and vital regions.

 

Season’s Greetings from the SANAP Overwintering Teams

Season’s Greetings from the SANAP Overwintering Teams

The SANAP overwintering teams have once again demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience in the face of the Antarctic region conditions. Over the course of the year, our teams have worked tirelessly to support vital research, monitor environmental changes, and uphold South Africa’s contributions to scientific exploration in the polar regions. From the early months of the year preparing for their journey to the end of the overwintering period, these teams have embodied the spirit of adventure, teamwork, and determination.

We would like to take this moment to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported our overwintering teams. To the families, friends, and loved ones who provide the emotional support necessary for our teams to thrive, your understanding and encouragement are invaluable. To the various stakeholders, including the South African government, research organizations, and our international collaborators, thank you for your continued partnership and belief in the importance of Antarctic research.

To the overwintering teams themselves, we are incredibly proud of your unwavering dedication. Your perseverance, expertise, and positive spirit inspire us all and are the foundation of the success of the South African National Antarctic Programme. We also want to acknowledge the incredible teamwork that made all of this possible. The spirit of cooperation among SANAP’s overwintering teams is something that continues to inspire us all. Even in isolation, you worked together as a family, relying on each other to overcome the challenges the Antarctic winter throws your way.

To all our overwintering teams, their families, we wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season. May 2025 bring new discoveries, further achievements, and continued collaboration.

Happy Holidays and a Successful 2025!

Vacancy Field Researcher – Marion Island

Vacancy Field Researcher – Marion Island

Vacancy for field researcher on Marion Island
(March 2025 – May 2026)
Mouse impacts on invertebrates and plants

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria is offering one suitably qualified candidate an opportunity to spend a year on Marion Island to measure various aspects of the impact of the house mouse on the diversity and function of the terrestrial ecosystems of Marion Island. This work will entail collecting baseline data, mostly on invertebrates and plants. (Photo Credit: Michelle Greve)

 Collecting invertebrate community data and identifying invertebrates.
 Surveying and monitoring vegetation plots. Measuring plant traits.
 Mapping species and events.
 Installing, maintaining and downloading data from loggers.
 Note that duties may change during the course of the year.

FULL DETAILS

Deadline for applications: 10 January 2025

JOB Alert: Marion Island 2025 to 2026

JOB Alert: Marion Island 2025 to 2026

Marion Island Research Station_Julius Klette

The following positions are available on the sub-Antarctic, Marion Island for the overwintering period (April 2025 to May 2026)

Environmental Officer   Assistant Environmental Officer

Communications Engineer  Diesel Mechanic  Electrical Engineer    Medical Orderly  

Senior Meteorological Technician  Assistant Meteorological Technician  

2 X Field Assistants – Sea Birds

Closing Date: 28 OCTOBER

Click here: View all positions

 

 

The Wanderer- August 2024- Now available

The Wanderer- August 2024- Now available

In this Issue of the Marion 81 Newsletter

Download The Wanderer

  • A message from the Team Leader.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to be M81 Team Leader. We are done with the first quarter of our expedition and so far everyone is doing well ……  I want to express my gratitude to all those who are cheering us on in this journey; our families, our colleagues and our friends back home. It is not an easy journey but it is a rare and beautiful experience. With courage and determination we will continue and we will finish stronger than we started. “ Read more in the newsletter

  • In a nutshell.
  • An ode to Duct Tape.
  • Meet the team.
  • A true endemic – Marion’s flightless moth.
  • How many people does it take to change a heater?
  • A killer-whaler’s magical world.
  • Explo Roundy! A new word for Island or Round Island exploration!
  • A birder’s introduction.
  • The ESSENTIAL guide to escaping a mire.
  • World Albatross Day.
  • An Over-island Tale.
  • Lastly… a weather update by SAWS.

Read the answers by team members to the following:

  • Why did you come to Marion?
  • Best thing about Marion?
  • What do you miss the most?
  • Worst thing about Marion?
  • What do you wish you had brought?
  • What is the best food here?
  • What food do you miss?

Weather on Marion Island

Celebrating Women’s Day within SANAP community

Celebrating Women’s Day within SANAP community

Theme of the National Women’s Day Commemoration:

“Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development”

In the SANAP community we are celebrating all those involved as Researchers, Scientists, and Students at tertiary and research institutions and infrastructures, and personnel within the National Research Foundation, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Public works and Infrastructure, the South African Weather Services, the South African National Space Agency, the South African Polar Research Infrastructure and all the women serving as part of the crew of the S.A. Agulhas II.

Celebrating our women overwintering team members at our stations:   Antarctica (SANAEIV), Marion Island and Gough Island.

2024 women’s day commemoration is a reminder of the important contributions that are made by women to society, as well as a time to reflect on the advances in women’s rights. During 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made significant strides in advancing gender equality in all domains of society, including economic empowerment of women.

Women’s Day 2024 is the first national day led by the Government of National Unity (GNU) and takes place in a rural community as part of including all South Africans in national events, and placing a focus on the achievements and needs of women in all corners of the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officiate the national Women’s Day commemoration in Pofadder in the Namakwa District, Northern Cape. – SAnews.gov.za

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