by Ria Olivier | Jun 27, 2022 | Announcement, Current Event, News, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Science, SEAmester, Southern Ocean
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.
Read more about SEAmester
Meet the 37 students that were selected for this cruise:
* Note that only students presenting a negative Covid-19 PCR test will be permitted to board the vessel.
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
by Ria Olivier | Jun 3, 2022 | Announcement, Research, SA Agulhas II, SA Polar Research Infrastructure, SANAP, SAPolarRI, Science, Southern Ocean, STEM
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure has been recently established through funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). SAPRI is a consortium of institutions led by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) that enables scientific research in polar sciences. Among the various aims, it will promote and support participation in the South African National Antarctic Program (SANAP) by institutions that have not been historically involved in polar sciences.
As part of this transformation program, SAPRI will support the participation of 10 early career researchers to an upcoming research cruise on the S.A. Agulhas II departing on the 11th of July 2022. The scientific program will cover a variety of polar disciplines, from open ocean sampling to sea ice measurements. The projects are currently part of the SANAP and other NRF-funded projects with topics in the Southern Ocean and are led by internationally renowned scientists, with the participation of international teams.
The “SAPRI trainees” can be either early career researchers with an interest to grow their career in the polar sciences or more established researchers that would like to broaden their horizons. It is aimed at people who are early career (post-MSc) or established scientists and technicians who will remain in the system either through a Postdoc or being employed. They will participate in seminars on board the ship and will be exposed to the science done by the various projects, with direct hands-on experience through job shadowing and direct sampling. This is an opportunity to expand your current research topics and to build a network that would be helpful for your own projects. The group of SAPRI trainees will eventually become leaders of individual projects in their own universities.
This is a last-minute call specifically addressed to institutions and topics that have not been traditionally part of the SANAP. This includes aspects of social and economical sciences that are relevant to the polar sciences. As such, we require a prompt response from researchers and postgraduate students (MSc, MPhil, PhD). Participants will need a valid passport and be ready to go through a quarantine period of 7 days prior to departure.
Chief Scientist: A/Prof Marcello Vichi (MARiS)
KEY DATES:
8 June 2022: Applications Close
5 July 2022: Quarantine in dedicated hotel
11 July 2022: Departure at East Pier, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town Harbour.
31 July 2022: Arrival at East Pier, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town Harbour
COSTS: The SAPRI will cover the costs for transportation, quarantine stay and medicals. Ship costs will be covered by the NRF.
Expression of Interest: Click here!
To view the SCALE Crusie Report of 2019:
Click here!
DEADLINE: 08 June 2022
by Ria Olivier | Jun 2, 2022 | Marion Island, News, Overwintering Team, SA Agulhas II, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic, Team Photo
The 79th Marion Island Overwintering Team has arrived on the island 6 weeks ago. After a very busy take-over, where each team member was introduced to their new roles on the island, they are now settled in and ready for their sub-Antarctic overwintering expedition. Marion79 consist of 21 team members – check them out below.
Message from the Team Leader, Jufter Munyai:
“The Marion79 team is ready to look after the South African station on Marion Island, some will be conducting scientific fieldwork, whereas others have obligations in and around the station”.
Want to know more about the Marion Island 2022 take-over? Click here
We wish the team a successful expedition. See you back in Cape Town, in May 2023.
79th Marion Island Overwintering Team
Featured Image: Marion79 onboard the S.A. Agulhas II, about to depart to Marion Island on Sunday, 17 April 2022. Image supplied by Jufter Munyai (Team Leader).
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 02 June 2022
by Ria Olivier | May 18, 2022 | Announcement, Discover, Gateway cities, International Days, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islands, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAE, SANAP, Science, Southern Ocean, Stations, sub-Antarctic
Free entrance to Iziko Museums of South Africa today, 18 May 2022.
Visit the Sentinels of the South Exhibition at Iziko Museum of South Africa, Cape Town.
This exhibition will give you insight into the history, discoveries, and current role of South Africa’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean exploration. Read more here.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 18 May 2022
by Ria Olivier | May 11, 2022 | Announcement, Antarctica, Engineering, Environment, News, Research, SA Agulhas II, SANAP, Southern Ocean
Her lecture title is: What can we learn from the way a ship shudders on an icy wreck hunt.
For more info and a link to the LIVE event, click
here.
S.A. Agulhas II Image Credit: Ken Findlay.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 11 May 2022
