Administrator's March visit to Gough Island
Report from Tristan da Cunha Administrator Philip Kendall
Photos from Philip and Emil Pirzenthal
Louise and I made our inaugural visit to Gough earlier this month. We took advantage of a special charter of the MFV Edinburgh by the Fisheries department, which was heading down to Gough to carry out some camera work around the island. We were accompanied by James, Sarah, Rodney, Connor, Clifton, Cliff, Emil (diver) and Julia Gunther (photographer).
We boarded the Edinburgh on 2nd March 2024 for her last day of fishing around Inaccessible Island. This gave me a chance to see first-hand the amazing Captain Clarence and his crew in action. With fishing over, we headed south for Gough. The journey was choppy and the seas a little rough when we arrived, so we weren’t able to land until 6th March. The weather didn’t deter the Fisheries Department from starting their work, which again was good for me to see. Louise and I eventually took the perilous journey over the side of the Edinburgh, down the ladder, into the RIB and up the rope lift to the base, where we were greeted by the nine members for the Gough 69 team.
The team on Gough is made up of three people from the South African Weather Service, who collect weather data to help forecasters predict the weather in southern Africa, two people from the RSPB monitoring the birdlife on Gough and four technical support staff who keep the base running. Louise and I were their first visitors since October 2023. After our warm welcome, we settled into our new temporary home. The Fisheries Team stayed on board the Edinburgh, with Emil (diver) and Julia (photographer).
On the Thursday, we spent the day with the RSPB team, Lucy and Hannah, and visited the Albatross chicks nearby the base. The team tags the chicks before they fly the nest, enabling the albatrosses to be monitored throughout their lives.
On the Friday, I spent the day with the weather team, and was given the honour of launching the midday weather balloon. I left the team to do the midnight balloon. It’s a 24 hour operation!
Philip about to launch a weather balloon. | Philip cueing up at pool in the Gough Met. Station |
Saturday was the turn of the technical team. With no guaranteed ships for 12 months, they have to be even more self-sufficient than we do on Tristan. The diesel technician keeps the generators going, the electrician keeps the lights on, the Comms guy keeps in touch with the outside world, and the medic keeps everyone healthy.
Emil and Julia were able to join us on the base for a barbeque on Saturday evening and stayed for 24 hours until we all left on the Sunday. During our stay the RSPB took the decision to temporarily withdraw their team, taking advantage of the presence of our ship. Lucy and Hannah joined us on the Edinburgh and we spent the next two days touring the coast. We landed at the Glen, the site of the first base 70 years ago, and then at the Wild Glen where we saw 32 amazing elephant seals, before heading on an equally bumpy ride back to Tristan.
The Fisheries Team exceeded their target for camera work, with over 100 camera drops, recording over 30 hours of footage and installing temperature loggers. This will help us understand the sea life around Gough monitoring any changes over the years. Early indications from the footage show an abundance of healthy life.
Louise and I are so lucky to have spent so long on Gough, so early in our tour. I want to thank James and the Fisheries Team for making this happen, Captain Clarence and his crew for taking us safely there and back, and to our hosts on Gough, who were some of the best people you could ever hope to meet.
On our return to Tristan, we all gathered in the residency garden for a celebratory drink. Well done to everyone concerned!