ALSA had the opportunity to visit the SANAE IV (South African National Antarctic Expedition) Station in the first two weeks of January.
We are very excited to get the new material on the SANAP website!
Do you want to know more about this? Visit the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa website (click here).
We have such a long list of people to introduce and thank – we will start doing this very soon.
Ria Olivier and Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 05 February 2019
Earlier this year Prof Annie Bekker of the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, also director of the Sound and Vibration Research Group, organised and hosted the S.A. Agulhas II mini-seminar. This seminar covered the full scale measurement capabilities of the S.A Agulhas II and the measurements to be taken this Antarctic season.
Captain Knowledge Bengu, who will be the Captain of the S.A. Agulhas II for the 2018/2019 Antarctic Expedition, attended this seminar. This gave him some insight of what is planned by the scientists for the season and how to prepare for the SANAE58/Weddell Sea Expedition and all the operations involved.
South Africa’s ice breaking vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II, is currently on her way to Antarctica on a 96 day cruise (almost a month longer than usually) – what does the captain say about this? Anche Louw of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa interviewed Captain Knowledge Bengu – see interview below.
The first stop for the S.A. Agulhas II is Penguin Bukta. Here the SANAE58 team, cargo and other research personnel will be offloaded and then transported to SANAE IV.
The ship will then depart to the Weddell Sea (after fuel pumping) for the 45 day Weddell Sea Expedition 2019, on search for The Endurance and also if possible scientific exploration.
For more information about the Weddell Sea Expedition – click here.
https://www.facebook.com/AntarcticLegacySA/videos/370805320157462/
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 18 December 2018
The S.A. Agulhas II has departed from the East Pier of Cape Town harbour on 6 December 2018. The ship then docked at customs, where passports of all passengers onboard were stamped. The ship officially left Cape Town 7 December 2018 en route Antarctica.
Track the S.A. Agulhas II here.
| SANAE | 06/12/2018 | 19/12/2018 | Annual relief voyage Cape Town to Antarctica (Penguin Bukta) | ||
| 20/12/2018 | 31/12/2018 | Offloading, fuel pumping | |||
| 01/01/2019 | 14/02/2019 | Weddell Sea Expedition | |||
| 15/02/2019 | 23/02/2019 | Back-loading, fuel pumping | |||
| 24/02/2019 | 11/03/2019 | Return to Cape Town (via SS Island if required) |
Onboard the vessel is the 58th SANAE Overwintering team that will stay in and maintain South Africa’s Antarctic research station (SANAE IV), while gathering weather and space weather data for a period of 14 months.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 13 December 2018
On the 1st of December 1959, 12 Nations (including South Africa, the only African signatory) signed the Antarctic Treaty agreeing to 14 commands, including that Antarctica will be used for peaceful purposes only. Today, Antarctica is seen as “a natural reserve, devoted to peace and SCIENCE”.
South Africa has been part of scientific exploration in the Antarctic since 1960, the year of the first South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE). Scientist travel annually with South Africa’s research vessel, the S.A. Agulhas II, to the Antarctic. Once the vessel has reached the ice shelf, cargo and passengers are swung over with the ship’s crane. The helicopters onboard also assist in this regard. Passengers then travel about 200km to SANAE IV, which is situated in Dronning Maud Land (71°S, 2°W) where an overwintering team consisting of 10 people are housed.
South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) – this is the name of the South African government’s programme for research in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions.
You might be wondering how we will be celebrating Antarctica Day/Month – keep an eye on Antarctic Legacy of South Africa’s Facebook Page or Instagram as from Monday (3 December 2018).
The Antarctic Treaty document can be downloaded here.
Also check out this book: Celebrating Antarctica; A Treaty Protecting a Continent. Authors: Julie Hambrook Berkman & Allen Pope
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 01 December 2018.
The 58th South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) team is almost done with 3 weeks of training. As from tomorrow this team will be prepared for their 14 month expedition to South Africa’s Antarctic base, SANAE IV.
They will depart today in a week’s time, 06 December 2018, and return around middle February 2020.
Watch this video to learn more about Antarctica, South Africa’s involvement in the Antarctic Continent and South Africa’s research vessel (S.A. Agulhas II) built by STX Finland.
Anche Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, 29 November 2018.
In memory of Ms Edna Molewa, who passed away on 22 September 2018, South Africa’s National flag at the SANAP research stations on Marion Island, Gough Island and Antarctica will be flown at halfmast.
Please click here for memorial and funeral service dates.
East Pier Shed, East Pier Lane,
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town,
South Africa