LIVE interview from the S.A. Agulhas II – SAWS Marine Scientists currently on the Endurance 22 Expedition

LIVE interview from the S.A. Agulhas II – SAWS Marine Scientists currently on the Endurance 22 Expedition

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has two Marine Scientists (Marc De Vos and Carla Ramjukadh) onboard the S.A. Agulhas II, during the Endurance 22 Expedition. They are responsible for weather forecasts and meteorological data requirements from the various groups onboard the vessel.

“The SA Agulhas II vessel is able to accurately measure atmospheric parameters throughout the Endurance22 expedition. These measurements are supplemented with visual observations (such as weather, clouds, and sea-ice) done manually by the onboard meteorologist, giving a more complete picture of current weather conditions.”  (www.endurance 22.org)

Read more about the responsibilities of SAWS onboard this cruise – Click here.

Also, check out the video below – Interview with Marc De Vos and Carla Ramjukadh. These live interviews give an insight into what is currently happening onboard the vessel. Schools all over the world are able to register and take part in live interaction with the various science and other groups onboard. Read more here.   

The SAWS team will also contribute to the ARGO research programme, which involves collecting and sharing data from inside the ocean by deploying technologically advanced buoys.

For more information on the role of SAWS (and the various instruments that are used during this cruise) and how schools in South Africa are impacted and involved in scientific cruises, check out the video below: Interview with Dr. Tamaryn Morris, a physical oceanographer and Senior Manager for Marine (South African Weather Service), and Thomas Mtontsi, the Science Engagement Officer at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON).

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 16 February 2022

Welcome home SANAE 60

Welcome home SANAE 60

The 60th South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) team returned to Cape Town.

Departure to Antarctica: 25 December 2020.

Arrival in Cape Town: 29 January 2022.

 

SANAE 60 official team photo

ALSA's PI, Ria Olivier, was at East Pier for the arrival of the S.A. Agulhas II on Saturday, 29 January 2022. She posted arrival updates on social media throughout the day.

Image 1 of 8

Click here to read the address by Mr Ashley Naidoo, Acting Deputy Director-General: Oceans and Coasts, delivered on the day of the 60th SANAE team departure to Antarctica.

Click here to read about the arrival of the S.A. Agulhas II at Penguin Bukta, Antarctica by Prof Annie Bekker of the Sound & Vibration Research Group of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University.

 

Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 31 January 2022.

Dr Mia Wege – from overwintering field assistant to lecturer at UP

Dr Mia Wege – from overwintering field assistant to lecturer at UP

Congratulations Mia –  from overwintering field assistant to lecturer at the University of Pretoria.

Dr Mia Wege was chosen as one of the “100 Women in Polar Science and Support” featured by Women in Polar Science. Mia is a true ‘go-getter’ and an inspiration to all young women in science!

Her connection with SANAP:

In 2009, her journey within the South African National Antarctic Programme started, where she joined the 66th Marion Island Overwintering Team as a “sealer” (Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme) field assistant (see overwintering team photo below). After this expedition, Mia started an MSc at the University of Pretoria, with her project titled: “Maternal foraging behaviour of Subantarctic fur seals from Marion Island”. During her time as MSc student, she applied to return to Marion Island for another year and returned as part of the 69th Marion Island Overwintering team from 2012 to 2013. In the same year of returning from her last overwinter expedition, she completed her MSc and started working on a PhD with her focus on “Population trend and foraging ecology of sympatric Antarctic and Subantarctic fur seals at Marion Island”. She has been on numerous other take-over expeditions to Marion Island, Gough Island, and Antarctica.

Mia completed her PhD, a 3-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Pretoria, and another 1-year Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Canterbury. She was recently employed as a lecturer at the University of Pretoria, Department of Zoology & Entomology.

We would like to congratulate Dr Mia Wege on all her qualifications obtained within the South African National Antarctic Programme and her new position as lecturer. 

Her passion for the Antarctic is contagious and we encourage all ECR’s (Early Career Researchers) to work hard work and persevere.

Check out Mia’s website here. 

 

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 07 January 2022.

Happy Festive Season to all onboard the S.A. Agulhas II

Happy Festive Season to all onboard the S.A. Agulhas II

ALSA would like to wish all onboard the research and supply vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II, currently at the Antarctic ice shelf, a happy festive season.

Special thoughts go out to the Captain of the vessel, Captain Knowledge Bengu, and the crew who will be having all hands on deck throughout the festive season. Thank you for supporting all the research activities etc. onboard.

A special message to the AMSOLITES (Captain and Crew) from AMSOL:

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 24 December 2021.

Season’s Greetings from Gough Island

Season’s Greetings from Gough Island

The South African team on Gough Island would like to wish you a happy festive season.

Gough Island

Spending Christmas far away from home can sometimes be a challenging time for overwintering team members, so if you would like to send a special message to the team, please email me at anchemuller@sun.ac.za or comment on the Facebook post, see below.

Send a message to the South Africans on Gough Island – Click here and comment on the Facebook Post.

67th Gough Island Overwintering Team

A new team member, Nkosi Madama (Electrician) has joined the team on the 9th of December 2021.

Read more about the team here.

 

Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 23 December 2021.

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