The S.A. Agulhas II departed from East Pier, V&A Waterfront on her annual Marion Island relief voyage, Sunday 17 April 2022. The expected time of arrival at the island is today, 21 April 2022.
The first leg of the voyage, Oceanographic Leg 1, from Cape Town to Marion Island, was dedicated to underway sampling (the vessel did not stop for sampling to take place).
Once at the island, take-over operations will commence immediately (weather permitting) – all land-based scientists, National Department of Public Works (NDPW) personnel, and take-over personnel (DFFE) will disembark. Cargo will be slung with helicopters to the island and fuel will be pumped to the island. Hereafter, the vessel will depart from Marion Island on the 2nd Oceanographic leg (annual Research and Monitoring programme around the Prince Edward Islands). The 3rd Oceanographic leg will commence after take-over, on the way back to Cape Town.
What is planned for the 2022 take-over on Marion Island (land-based)
- base and hut maintenance (NDPW)
- base and hut restock
- take-over function
- 79th Marion Island overwintering team (meet the team in next article) to take over from 78th Marion Island overwintering team (M78 – click here).
- take-over projects – scientific fieldwork (see table below)
| University of Fort Hare, Department of Geography Landscape and climate Interactions In a changing sub-Antarctic Environment🔗 |
|
| Group Leader | Prof Werner Nel |
| DFFE: Oceans and Coasts Southern Ocean and Island Research Programme |
|
| Group Leader | Dr Azwianewi Makhado |
| BirdLife South Africa & University of Pretoria Department of Plant and Soil Sciences🔗 Longitudinal monitoring of terrestrial diversity to assess the effects of mouse eradiction on Marion Island, and bait and mouse trials to inform further planning for the project |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Luis Alberto Rodriguez-Pertierra |
| BirdLife South Africa, DFFE Mouse-Free Marion (Project to Eradicate House Mica from Marlon Island)🔗 |
|
| Group Leader | Dr Anton Wolfaardt |
| South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Polar Space Weather Studies🔗 |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Matthew Spoor |
| South African Weather Service (SAWS) Atmosphere and Ocean Surface Research🔗 |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Vuyo Xelithole |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Observing Dawn In the Cosmos🔗 |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Ronny Joseph |
| University of Pretoria, Mammal Research Unit, Department of Zoology & Entomology Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme (MIMMP)🔗 Marion Island Marine Mammals in Changing Environments: lndividual Heterogeneity and Population Processes |
|
| Group Leader | Prof Nico de Bruyn |
| Nelson Mandela University, Department of Zoology Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU)🔗 Avian scavengers as indicators of recovery of an island biota |
|
| Group Leader | Dr Maëlle Connan |
What is planned for the take-over onboard the S.A. Agulhas II (ship-based)
| DFFE: Ocean & Coasts Research DFFE Ship-based Southern Ocean and Islands Research Programme |
|
| Ocean Physics: Group Leader | Mr Gavin Tutt |
| Ocean Chemistry: Group Leader | Dr Thato Mtshali |
| Ocean Biological: Group Leader | Mr Henry Kakora |
| DFFE:Ocean & Coasts, University of Cape Town, Bayworld Centre for Research & Education SAMOC-SA |
|
| Group Leader | Mr. Grant van der Heever |
| University of Pretoria Enhanced insights regarding the ecology, evolution, and function of marine microbiomes |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Choaro Dithugoe |
Land-based DFFE and other take-over personnel
| Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Directorate: Southern Oceans & Antarctic Support Management, logistics and support for this voyage |
|
| Departmental Co-ordinator (DCO) | Mr Errol Julies |
| Assistant DCO | Mr Mfundo Tima |
| Admin Officer | Ms Pozisa Matshoba |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Sabata Setona |
| General/Waste Technician | Mr Mazizi Salmani |
| DFFE Directorate: Oceans, Coasts & Biosecurity Compliance |
|
| Environmental Control Officer | Mr Thomas Mufanadzo |
| DFFE Directorate: Earth Systems Strategies Prince Edward Islands Management Authority (Oversight Management Functions) |
|
| Group Leader | Ms Ntombovuyo Madlokazi |
| Chief Scientists | |
| Land-based | Prof Werner Nel |
| Ship-based | Mr Marcel van den Berg |
| National Department of Public Works (NDPW) Maintenance Support |
|
| Group Leader | Mr Takalani Mudau |
