Cape Town - South Africa’s polar research vessel, the SA Agulhas II, has once again set sail, this time transporting a relief team and cargo to the Gough Island weather station.
The ship departed from the V&A Waterfront yesterday.
Owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Gough 70 Relief team will head to the volcanic island that hosts the South African Weather observation station.
Gough Island is a volcanic island, rising from the South Atlantic Ocean to a height of over 900 metres above sea level with an area of 91 km².
The station assists with data collection, scientific research, monitoring of climate change impacts and fluctuations, and monitoring the impact of severe weather events on the South African coastline.
Acting chief director for research and specialised monitoring services at DFFE, Ashley Johnson, said the mission was crucial for climate research.
He said critical measurements were made to determine severe weather patterns likely to hit South Africa.
“The overwintering stays there for about 13 months, so what we are doing now is taking a new team. We also use the opportunity there to maintain the base and ensure the living conditions are good,” Johnson said.
This year, the team consists of roughly ten people, including scientists, diesel mechanics, and medical staff.
The estimated duration of the journey is around two weeks.
Johnson said the SA Agulhas II will also be used for ocean scientific research while the teams are there.
Thendo Sikhwari, 32, a senior methodologist, said he visited the island four years prior.
“I’m going to Gough Island again as senior methodologist and operation leader.
“I’m very excited to go back and explore the environment and relieve the other guys.”
Having been stationed at Gough Island for 13 months, the current overwintering team will now return home.
However, some may be required to continue for another 13 months as research will continue on the island.
Stephen Dyason arrived to bid bon voyage to his son yesterday, a 31-yearold engineer working on the ship.
Before the vessel departed from the dock, Dyason fondly remembered that as a little boy, he took his son on a similar ship.
“I brought him onto the previous version, he was a little boy. Little knowing that all these years later, he would be sailing on this magnificent project,” the proud father said.
Cape Argus