Shipping Update from Cynthia Green on 13th December
MV Baltic Trader's departure delayed - see Baltic Trader Final Voyage Delayed.
Meanwhile the delay in offloading the Baltic Trader is having a knock-on effect on the unloading of MV Glory as the Baltic Trader's cargo is reagrded as more urgent to unload.
Edinburgh December Departure - see MV Edinburgh returns to Cape Town
Baltic Trader Trip Update from Cynthia Green
The final 2016 sailing from Cape Town to Tristan da Cunha, carrying crucial Christmas supplies and the last 2016 mail, finally arrived on Wednesday 30th November at 07.00 GMT, ten days after leaving Cape Town on Sunday 20th November at 2.00pm local time. Sea conditions did not allow unloading of cargo, which is postponed until 'it's a day'.
Passengers came ashore at 08.30 and were: Islanders Eddie & Rebecca Rogers, Linda Green, Sarah & Connor Glass-Green, Rodney Green and Marion Collins, Administrator Sean Burns and his wife Marina, Geography Teacher Leonard Street and Agriculture Adviser Alasdair Wyllie & his wife Barbara. The trip will be the last to be made by the MV Baltic Trader.
Administrator Designate Sean Burns reported earlier from Cape Town that the ship was delayed to be loaded with materials needed for further DFID funded emergency repairs to Calshot Harbour to be carried out between January and March 2017. These were planned to be carried by MV Edinburgh in January, but it was decided that there will not be enough cargo space, hence the use of this earlier sailing.
Two arrivals on 4th November - Report from Dawn Repetto
MV Edinburgh arrived from Cape Town at 18.30 GMT on Friday 4th November, and passengers were transported ashore soon afterwards. Later in the evening MV Glory arrived carrying pre-fabricated parts of the new Camogli Healthcare Centre.
Unfortunately the weather on Saturday 5th November prevented offloading of both vessels.
Shipping Update on 1st November from Cynthia Green
MV Pacific Askari arrived at about 6.40am on Friday 28th October. The 12 Galliford Try contractors who will construct the new Camogli Healthcare Centre came ashore during the morning. MV Pacific Askari left at about 14.00 GMT bound for Port Elizabeth.
Also on Friday 28th October MV Edinburgh loaded passengers in the afternoon and departed for Tristan later in the evening for its final 2016 voyage. Passengers are: Islanders Harold & Amy Green, Benny & Sylvia Green, Marlene & Allan Swain, Education Psychologist Carolyne Kewn, Ovenstone Engineer Craig Bergh and visitor Rickard Pak.
MV Glory is now expected to arrive on Friday 4th November at 08.00 GMT to begin unloading 2500 cubic metres of materials.
Two ships heading for Tristan to begin construction of the new Camogli Healthcare Centre
MV Glory is sailing via Poole, Dorset, UK from Malmo in Sweden with materials for the new centre. Departing Poole on 12th October, the ship is expected to arrive on 2nd November.
MV Glory is a general cargo ship built in 2006 and currently sailing under the flag of Antigua & Barbuda. MV Glory is 111m long, has a beam of 18m, gross tonnage of 6393 tons and a cruising speed of between 9.7 – 11 knots.
MV Pacific Askari departed Cape Town with Galliford Try Construction Team aboard on 20th October and is expected to arrive at Tristan on 27th or 28th October.
MV Edinburgh departs for Cape Town - Report from Cynthia Green
The fishing vessel MV Edinburgh returned to the Tristan anchorage on 14th October to pump fuel and backload fish etc. Passengers were taken aboard the following day, Saturday 15th at 3.30pm and the vessel sailed for Cape Town at 4.20pm.
Passengers are: Islanders Michelle Green, Herbert & Barbara Glass, Rodney Green, Sarah and Connor Glass-Green, Emma, Ryan and Tyler Swain, Dentist Penny Granger and her daughter Elika Granger.
MV Baltic Trader Departs
Cynthia Green reports that MV Baltic Trader completed backloading fish and cargo on 5th October 2016, loaded passengers at about 12.30pm, and departed for Cape Town at 7.15pm. Passengers are: Craig Bergh, David Honan and Samantha Dunn.
SA Agulhas II arrived in Cape Town early on Thursday 6th October 2016 - see Agulhas 2016 voyage for photos.
Shipping Update from Cynthia Green on 3rd October 2016
Baltic Trader unloading was completed on Tuesday 27th September, but the vessel is still waiting for favourable weather to backload fish, cargo and passengers. By the weather forecast this may be 6th or 7th October. MV Edinburgh is currently fishing and is expected to depart for Cape Town as scheduled on 11th October.
Agulhas DepartsSA Agulhas II loaded passengers by helicopter at noon on Friday 30th September 2016 prior to departing for Cape Town later in the afternoon. The ship carried 44 passengers from Tristan, including islanders Benny & Sylvia Green, Edward & Rebecca Rogers, Linda Green, Allan & Marlene Swain, Marion Collins, Nicholas Swain, Paul, Geraldine, Chantelle and Katie Repetto and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, departing expatriate workers Alex & Hasene Mitham, Dr. Mohammed Sulamain, Rachel van Heerden and Chris Standing and other visitors. Photo from Janine Lavarello shows SA Agulhas II getting ready to depart on 30th September - for more see Agulhas 2016 |
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Baltic Trader and Agulhas Arrive - update on 30th September 2016
MV Baltic Trader arrived about 10pm on 26th September and passengers (listed below) came ashore at 9am but the sea is not calm enough to offload any cargo. SA Agulhas II arrived from Gough at about 6.30am this morning. The ship will complete any offloading and is likely to load passengers on Friday 30th September ready for the return journey to Cape Town. Scheduled departure is Saturday 1st October. For a few days there have been 316 people on Tristan before the annual Agulhas / Baltic Trader / Edinburgh exodus all within a fortnight.
Baltic Trader and Agulhas Update
From Cynthia Green on 26th September 2016
MV Baltic Trader departed Cape Town at 9pm on the evening of Friday 16th September and is expected to arrive at 10pm on Monday 26th September. Weather permitting passengers and cargo will be offloaded on Tuesday 27th.
Passengers on board are: Islander Adrian Swain, Clerk of Works Barry Davies with his wife Hernalen and their three children Dylan, Roxan and Sian, Conservation Workers Ben Dilley and Delia Davies, X-Ray Engineer Leon Hansen, St Helena Police Officer David Honan, Social Worker Samantha Dunn and Ovenstone Engineer Craig Bergh.
SA Agulhas II is expected to arrive from Gough Island on Tuesday 27th so the island will be busy. The Agulhas is due to leave on Saturday 1st October and MV Baltic Trader as soon as off-loading is complete. So for a short time there will be 316 people living on Tristan da Cunha until the exodus as Baltic Trader and Agulhas leave for Cape Town.
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SA Agulhas II 2016 Tristan arrival trip updatefrom Cynthia Green and Dawn Repetto SA Agulhas II arrived at Tristan on Wednesday 7th September 2016 at first light. On a lovely calm sunny day offloading started about 08.00 and passenger helicopter flights started at 09.00, with all safely ashore by about 12.00 on six flights. The 7th flight brought in a weather team with buoys to do some work at the weather station by the hospital. It is hoped to finish the offloading in one day so the Agulhas can leave for Gough Island. The influx (see passenger list below) means there are now 304 people on Tristan, but of these a small party will join the Agulhas II trip to Gough. Dawn added that 'It was lovely to see all the returning islanders and to welcome all the visitors.' |
| Photo of SA Agulhas II arriving at Tristan on 7th September from Kelly Burns - see Agulhas 2016 Trip for more about the Agulhas trip and passenger's time ashore. |
SA Agulhas II departs from Cape Town
Report from Cynthia Green
The SA Agulhas II 2016 voyage to Tristan and Gough Island got underway as the vessel departed Cape Town at 17.00 on Thursday 1st September 2016.
47 of the passengers aboard are bound for Tristan da Cunha and their arrival will boost those living on the island from 257 to 304 until many return to Cape Town in October.
Passengers are -
11 returning islanders: Andrea & Lorraine Repetto, Neil Swain, Dean Repetto, Duncan & Jackie Lavarello, Martin & Iris Green, Samantha & April Swain, George Swain;
15 visitors including 7 islanders who now live overseas: Rosemary Repetto, Elaine Mawer, Eugene & Joy Stoffberg, Julian Swain, Jennifer King and Sarah Ludwig and eight others: Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy, Roger Price, Chris & Julie Bates, Jeanne Cowan, Wendy Bester, Sarah van Sonsbeeck and Jennifer Craig;
20 expatriate workers and their families: Doctor Alex Wonner & Sally Wonner, Dentist Penelope Granger & Elika Granger, Dental Technician Pat Brewer, Vet Susan Harvey, Primary Adviser Teacher Victoria Stapleton, Extra-Curricular Officer Carmen Ferreria, Primary Teacher Lamont Ferreria, Social Worker Tracey Price, RSPB Conservation Officer Andy Schofield, Chief of St Helena Police Trevor Botting & Sarah Botting, St Helena Police Sergeant Matthew Breeze, Crane Engineer Remi Moses, Catholic Padre Paul Taylor, Harbour Engineer Gerhard Kapp, Seal Biologist Marthan Bester, CTBTO Station Manager Léo Duval, other CTBTO staff Marc Escudier and Muhamad Yasin.
SA Agulhas II's arrival heralds a hugely busy few weeks full of meetings, social occasions and hectic work for visiting specialists such as dentist Penelope Granger on her annual expedition to the island.
The ship is scheduled to depart Tristan on 1st October.
MV Edinburgh August-October Trip Update
MV Edinburgh departed Cape Town at 21.00 on Friday 19th August and arrived at Tristan at about 13:30 GM on Saturday 27th August 2016. Weather wasn't suitable for unloading but they did manage to get passengers and luggage ashore by one of the rafts.
Incoming passengers were islanders - Desmond, Donna, Calvin & Hannah Green, Ken & Judy Green, and Gladys Lavarello; Administrator Alex Mitham and his wife & Hasene, Science Teacher Mark Pearson, Finance Officer David Moores, GIS Specialist Ilaria Marengo and Factory Manager Erik Mackenzie.
This trip is the first extended fishing trip of the 2016-2017 fishing season which officially started on Tristan on 1st July. The vessel will depart for fishing grounds off Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough Islands after unloading and is expected to depart Tristan on 11th October. See the Shipping Page for the full shipping schedule.
MV Edinburgh Departure Update from Cynthia Green
Cargo was unloaded on Wednesday 20th July 2016 but poor weather the following day postponed completion. Offloading was complete by 15.00 on Friday 22nd July after which passengers boarded at 16.00 and the ship departed for Cape Town at 17.00.
Passengers aboard: Islanders George Swain, Harold & Amy Green, Desiree Repetto and Anne-Marie Collins; Rev. Denzall Snell & wife Sinyati, Toncho Dimitrov, Fouchie Conradie, Prince Muzuva, Barry Davies and Martin King.
MV Edinburgh July Arrival Update from Cynthia Green
MV Edinburgh departed Cape Town on Sunday 10th July 2016 after a delay as the ship was being serviced in dry dock. Aboard are islanders Stella and Ronald Rogers and Mechanic Sam Tatton and Ovenstone Engineers ouchie Conradie & Prince Muzuva. The ship arrived at Tristan at 17.20 on Sunday 17th July. The harbour was a bit rough, but passengers and their luggage were brought ashore safely shortly afterwards. MV Edinburgh went to the lee of Inaccessible Island and was waiting for calm seas to offload the cargo at noon on Monday 18th July.
Winter return of Yacht Pelagic Australis on 9th June 2016
The yacht Pelagic Australis called at Tristan on 9th June but was unable to land crew ashore following a successful visit the same month in 2015. See Yachts 2015-2016 page for more.
MV Edinburgh departs for Cape Town
News from Cynthia Green
MV Edinburgh was not able to offload the remainder of its cargo until Sunday 29th May when work started at 9am and was completed by 5pm. Outgoing passengers went on board the ship at 5.45pm and she sailed for Cape Town at 6.45pm.
Passengers are: Islanders Ken & Judy Green, Gladys Lavarello, Martin & Iris Green, Adrian, Samantha & April Swain, Barney Swain and Norman Glass, plus Hubert Launay (CTBTO Station Manager).
MV Edinburgh May Passage News
From Cynthia Green
MV Edinburgh departed Cape Town about 5.30pm on Wednesday 11th May. The ship was still 172 miles from Tristan mid-morning on Wednesday 18th May on a slow passage and finally reached Tristan at 05.55 GMT on Thursday. Sea conditions prevented passengers or cargo off-loading so the vessel sought the lee of Inaccessible Island. Conditions were again rough on Friday 20th May but they improved to enable the vessel to anchor off Tristan on Saturday 21st May and passengers came ashore around midday.
Passengers were: Islanders Sandra & Deanna Rogers, Marion Collins, Lewis & Yvonne Glass, Conrad & Sharon Glass, Eric & Martha Glass, Felicity Glass and Finance Officer Chris Standing returning after leave.
Latest Harbour Work enables landing despite swell
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Further reporting from Mike Wolfenden We got the passengers off on Saturday 21st May using the high speed RIBs under very difficult conditions. The Edinburgh had been sitting in the lee since the 18th The new deeper harbour allowed us to do this as the wave energy is dissipated as it rushes in at three meters high as its enters. Waves crashed against the West Jetty and then as it flows in, it is absorbed by the new depth, enough to manage the boats. The harbour is 2 metres deeper at low tide all over and the improvements have made a big difference. |
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We crane up the boats to load them with people and crane them in , the same happens at the ship. We took the passengers off later the same day as the swell went down enough attempt it. Today (Monday 23rd May) we are starting to remove luggage and fresh fruit in company barges but the weather is picking up again so we have to take advantage of the’ still moments’. |
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| Barry Davies' photos below show the RIB alongside the quay being lifted by the crane complete with all aboard to facilitate a safe landing in what is believed to be a new technique. | Barry Davies' photo right shows the severe sea conditions buffeting Calshot Harbour on Friday 20th May when MV Edinburgh remained in the lee of Inaccessible Island. |
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MV Gerhard Schulte provides passage for Alex and Hasene Mitham
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The 35,991 tonne container ship MV Gerhard Schulte called at Tristan on 10th May to provide a passage for Administrator Alex Mitham and his wife Hasene who will be spending about two months off the island. Owing to limited spaces on the Edinburgh in May, Hamburg Sud very kindly arranged for a vessel to pick Alex and Hasene up. The vessel was in transit from the Brazilian port of Santos, departing on 5th May. The Gerhard Schulte (Bernhard Schulte Company) arrived on Tuesday 10th May at 07.30 to pick them up before continuing to Durban. Alex hopes to visit Hamburg during his trip to present a plaque on behalf of the community to Hamburg Sud for their many years of support to Tristan da Cunha. |
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| Photos of the MV Gerhard Schulte's short call at Tristan from Barry Davies | |
Visit of Yacht Santa Maria Australis
The Yacht Santa Maria Australis called at Tristan on Sunday 8th May with a crew of seven aboard. See the 2015/16 Yachts page for more information and a photo of the yacht.
MV Baltic Trader Departure
Report from Cynthia Green
MV Baltic Trader departed for Cape Town at 6.30 pm on Friday 22nd April. On board were the ten remaining Sea and Shore workers who had worked on Calshot harbour improvements and Ovenstone's Craig Bergh. Tristan now enters its winter period with two cargo and passenger trips scheduled in May and June / July before the new season gets underway with the extended first fishing trip by MV Edinburgh in August. See the Shipping Schedule for details.
RMS St Helena lands passengers
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After the huge disappointment of Tuesday 19th, when RMS St Helena arrived in conditions which prevented any attempt at landing, it was a huge relief when the ship returned to Tristan after spending the night off Inaccessible Island and managed to land passengers the following day. Administrator Alex Mitham and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello led a party who boarded the ship at 08.30 GMT and greet Governor Designate Lisa Phillips. Conditions were deemed safe for passengers to go ashore from 10.00. There followed a hectic programme of revised events crammed into a few hours as plans for overnight stays were unfortunately cancelled. The final group of passengers, including Governor Designate Lisa Phillips returned to the RMS at 17.00 and the ship sailed early for St Helena at 18.00 as the weather again deteriorated. |
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| Photos of the first and last RMS St Helena Tristan visits from the Editor, left, in April 1985 and from Shirley Squibb, right, in April 2016. | |
End of the line for RMS St Helena
The St Helena Government has put the RMS St Helena up for sale and so the ship faces an uncertain future, especially as it is an unusual ship with its dual function as a cargo and passenger vessel. Whatever that future, it seems that it's title 'RMS St Helena' will cease when the vessel returns to Cape Town on its last scheduled voyage on 15th July 2016, as it will no longer serve as the island's mail ship.
The old RMS St Helena made its first visit to Tristan da Cunha in April 1985, and annual trips, allowing import of UK goods to Tristan, continued until 2004. Since then there have been sporadic RMS St Helena trips to Tristan, notably in 2006 for the Quincentenary Cruise, which allowed guests to stay ashore on the island for the first time. It is so unfortunate that this last trip, marking 31 years of Tristan's association with the RMS St Helena, proved to be so brief and bitterly disappointing for passengers planning to stay for four days and three nights, and a community who had worked hard to prepare a warm welcome.
See the RMS St Helena 2016 page for more.
Huge disappointment as RMS St Helena arrives but landing at Tristan impossible
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Plans for the final visit of the RMS on hold as Tristan prays for a break in the weather.
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RMS St Helena arrived at Tristan at 10.00 GMT on Tuesday 19th April to a windy, rainy Tristan. Barely visible, she sailed by blowing her horn twice, as she headed off to the Outer Islands. Administrator Alex Mitham said 'Headaches all round - terrible weather and its getting worse with gales predicted until next week. RMS may not able to land.' The island community has been getting everything ready for this long-awaited final visit of the RMS, designed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Tristan being part of Britain. Aboard, still hoping to lead the visit ashore, is St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Governor-Elect Lisa Phillips. |
 Shirley Squibb's photo shows the RMS St Helena steaming past the Settlement at 10.00 GMT on 19th April. |
| See the 2016 RMS St Helenapage for more. | |
MV Edinburgh departure
Report from Cynthia Green
Passengers went aboard MV Edinburgh at 4pm on Monday 18th April and the ship departed for Cape Town at 7pm.
Outgoing passengers were: Islanders Duncan & Jackie Lavarello, Eric & Martha Glass, Desmond, Donna & Calvin Green, Felicity Glass, Dr. Alex Wonner & wife Sally, Simon Browning and Bishop Garth Counsell.
MV Baltic Trader planned to leave the same day but departure has been delayed.
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Final RMS St Helena Cruise to Tristan da Cunha underwayVoyage 241 to visit Tristan da Cunha in the bicentenary year to celebrate 200 years of being part of the UK departed Cape Town on Thursday 14th April 2016. The Schedule for Voyage 241 has been amended and it is planned for the ship to arrive at Tristan a day earlier on Tuesday 19th April and stay for three nights, departing Friday 22nd April for St Helena. See the 2016 RMS St Helena page for more. |
The sailing vessel Bark Europa called at Tristan on 13th April
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Kelly Burns' photo above shows MV Baltic Trader framed by the rigging of the Bark Europa. |
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| Shirley Squibb's photo right shows the Bark Europa and MV Edinburgh from Calshot Harbour. | See the 2016 Bark Europa page for more. |
Baltic Trader's Arrival |
Report from Cynthia Green MV Baltic Trader departed Cape Town late the following evening, Friday 1st April, and arrived at Tristan at 08.00 GMT on Monday 11th April. Passengers who came ashore at 09.00 GMT were Islander Barney Swain and Craig Bergh (Ovenstone Engineer) After unloading the ship will prepare to take the Sea and Shore harbour works team and their kit back to Cape Town, planning to depart on or before Monday 18th April. Work completed successfully ahead of schedule on Sunday 10th April - see the Harbour 2016 page for more. The harbour works have deepened Calshot Harbour as well as carrying out improvements to the structure of the harbour quays. This has made access to the harbour by the inshore vessels such as fishing boats, RIBs and barges much easier in deeper water and safer quays. |
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| Shirley Squibb's photo shows Baltic Trader being unloaded |
Cruise Ship MV Plancius' visit 8th - 10th April
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MV Plancius arrived on Friday 8th April for a two day visit to the Tristan da Cunha Islands. We feature a report and photos of MV Plancius's visit on the Plancius 2016 page. Aboard the MV Plancius is Conrad Glass, who is giving Tristan lectures aboard. He continued with the vessel to St Helena, aiming to return home in May. Shirley Squibb's photo taken on 8th April shows the cruise ship anchored alongside the fishing vessel MV Edinburgh which arrived the previous day - see report below. |
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Dual Departures for Tristan with a total of only 10 passengers
Report from Cynthia Green updated on 8th April
MV Edinburgh departed from Cape Town at 6.30pm on Thursday 31st March and arrived Tristan 08.30 GMT on Wednesday 7th April. Calm conditions allowed passengers to come ashore soon afterwards. They were: Islanders Judith Green, Ivan Green, Justin Green and Riaan Repetto, Dr. Mohammed Sulamain, Simon Browning (ENT Specialist), Jacoba-Kumi Joubert (Nurse) and Bishop Garth Counsell. Offloading started at 09.00 GMT. February Tristan Newsletters arrived on this ship and will be distributed to island families soon.
Silver Explorer's visit
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The 6072 tonne cruise ship Silver Explorer visited Tristan on 15th March and continued to Nightingale Island for a visit the following day. First built as MS Delfin Clipper in 1989, the ship was bought by Silversea and underwent a re-fit 2007-8 after which she was re-named MV Prince Albert II. The vessel then became Silver Explorer in 2011. The ship continued to Cape Town. Photo left from Shirley Squibb For more on the visit see 2015-16 Cruise ship visits. |
Edinburgh departs for Cape Town
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Report from Cynthia Green |
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MV Edinburgh departed for Cape Town at 4.45pm GMT on Tuesday 8th March. Outgoing passengers were: Islanders Dean Repetto, Lewis & Yvonne Glass, Connie & Sharon Glass, Neil Swain and Riaan Repetto; Ben Dilley, Brian Corboy and Charles Kilgour. MV Edinburgh returned from Gough Island on Saturday 27th February at 6.30pm and the Tristan party who went to Gough, including Administrator Alex Mitham and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello, came ashore. The ship was joined by Fisheries Officer Warren Glass as the vessel continues fishing. |
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| Photo right from Barry Davies shows MV Edinburgh during fishing operations off Big Point in early March. | |
The Motor Yacht Enigma XK visited Tristan on 27th February
| See the 2015/16 Yachts page for a report and more photographs. |
Editor's Notes Enigma XK is 1650 gross tonnes, 71.m metres long and can cruise at 18 knots. Built in 1987 as a Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) patrol vessel until 2010, the ship had a complete re-fit and in 2013 became an expedition vessel for charter. The vessel has been described as 'the ultimate exploration superyacht, fully-equipped for adventure on sea and ashore'. 12 'guests' are accommodated in 6 staterooms, including a master suite with sauna, 4 doubles and one twin cabin. Amenities include a gym, jacuzzi, air conditioning and WiFi. There is a helideck aboard, the vessel has a range of 11,000 nautical miles and can be hired for 250,000 Euros a week plus expenses. The yacht passed Tristan on 26th November 2015, but did not land any passengers. |
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Baltic Trader departs for Cape Town
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Report from Cynthia Green Passengers went on board the Baltic Trader at 9.30am on Friday 19th February and the ship departed for Cape Town at 2.30pm. Passengers aboard are: Islanders Andy & Lorraine Repetto, Sandra & Deanna Rogers, Ronald & Stella Rogers and Marion Collins; Chris & Joyce Standing, Drs. Madho Jingree & Brigid Hayden and Hendrik Moolmann (Apple Group Logistics). |
Shipping Update on 16th February
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From Cynthia Green MV Edinburgh departed Tristan for Gough Island fishing operations on Monday 15th February at 4pm GMT. Aboard was a Tristan party led by Administrator Alex Mitham and Chief Islander Ian Lavarello. They were accompanied by Fisheries Observer Terence Green, Rodney Green and Norman Glass, who will be diving to retrieve and replace temperature loggers on the sea bed, RIB crew Joseph Green and Jason Green and Head of Tristan Conservation Department Trevor Glass, with his colleagues George Swain & Ben Dilley. The Baltic Trader remains at Tristan. All the harbour project equipment has been offloaded but fish from the Tristan factory will be loaded and passengers will board ready for an imminent departure for Cape Town. |
Shipping Update on 10th FebruaryUnloading of the Baltic Trader continues and mail close at 10am on Friday 12th February for the ship's return to Cape Town some time later. The yacht Errante called on 10th February. For more about the yacht's visit see the Yachts 2015-2016 page. Dawn Repetto's photo taken on 10th February shows the yacht Errante in the foreground and MV Baltic Trader behind. |
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Baltic Trader and Cap Cortes arrive at Tristan on 31st January
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Hamburg Sud shipping company again help Tristan In a third recent generous assist to the isolated Tristan da Cunha community, the Hamburg Sud container ship Cap Cortes was diverted to call at Tristan on 31st January to provide transport for Delia Davies, who has been working with the Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department, and who needed urgent transport off-island for family reasons. |
| Hamburg Sud container ship Cap Cortes |  Baltic Trader dwarfed by Cap Cortes |
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Cap Cortes was built in 2013, is 228 metres long and is 42,690 gross tonnes. The ship left Santos in Brazil on 26th January, and, after picking up Delia on 31st January will proceed to Durban in South Africa ETA 7th February. The Tristan community is hugely grateful to Hamburg Sud for providing this passage. On 18th July the Hamburg Sud container ship San Clemente called at Tristan to provide passage for Chris Carnegy - see 2015 shipping page for details. |
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MV Baltic Trader Harbour Repair Trip Update
MV Baltic Trader departed Cape Town on 19th January for an extra journey specifically to provide transport for materials and construction crew for another Calshot Harbour project.
The ship arrived on Sunday 31st January at 6am after a passage of twelve days. The passengers (a team of 11 contractors led by Ted Adam, who will work on the harbour project) were brought ashore at 11am. Unloading began on Monday 1st February, and, when off-loading is complete, MV Baltic Trader will return to Cape Town.
The project is planned to be completed in May, so, it is assumed, the ship will return to transport the contractors back to the Cape. These sailings will carry mail and there will be 12 spare berths from Tristan in February and to Tristan in May. Unfortunately, this spare capacity is not ideal for visitors, who are more likely to be wanting to stay on Tristan during the summer months.
We have published preliminary information on the works, and will chronicle the actual work on the 2016 Harbour News page.
First yacht visit of 2016 |
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| Tina Glass sent these photos of the Chinese yacht 'Second Dream' which called at Tristan on Monday 11th January. Dawn Repetto reports that the vessel had a crew of four onboard. They are presently sailing around the world and left China on the 19th July. Their last port of call was Salvador and they are now bound for Cape Town. Weather was good and they enjoyed a lovely day ashore picking up supplies and wandering around the settlement. | |