Visit of MV Professor Molchanov 5th -7th April 2009 Capacity 49 passengers; en route from South Georgia via Gough to St Helena and Ascension | |
Report from Tourism Coordinator Dawn Repetto ~ Professor Molchanov arrived at Tristan on the 5th April quite by surprise at 8.30am, the weather was sunny and the sea calm. We had had an email from her the previous evening and she wasn't due in until 11am. . Immigration boarded first and cleared the ship and passengers came ashore at about 9am. Disembarkation was pretty quick as they used 3 zodiacs. Passengers were met at the harbour by myself and some of these went immediately on a village tour with our tour guide Judy Green. A few others went with our Conservation Officer Brad, on a tour of the east fence trying to catch a glimpse of a cattle egret. The rest of the passengers wandered around the village and patches area at their leisure. A few passengers were interested in golf and this was underway at 11.30am. Golf always seems to be popular as our course is so unique. The highlight of the day was a sighting of a Tristan Thrush (Starchie) at the Potato Patches, most of the passengers who heard the news rushed out to get a look. All activities ended with refreshments at the Pub and Cafe. Passengers boarded the ship at 5.30pm.
On Monday 6th April guides were taken aboard the Molchanov early in the morning and they headed off to the outer islands. However, landing was not possible and so the ship returned to Tristan. Guides stayed on overnight and in the early morning the ship departed a second time to Nightingale and Inaccessible. Again to no avail, the weather had by then deteriorated quite badly and when the ship arrived back at Tristan the guides had to be picked up by our Search and Rescue Rib. The Molchanov is now on her way to St Helena. Tristan potatoes were exported to St Helena thanks to the generosity of the Molchanov's captain and crew - see Farming News Page for details |
Visit of sailing Barque Europa ~ 29/30/31 March 2009 en route from South Georgia to Cape Town with 48 passengers | |
Day 1 - Arrived on Sunday 29th March early morning. Weather was absolutely beautiful. Passengers came ashore at about 9am. After landing, some passengers went on a cultural tour around the settlement, cultural tour to the 1961 volcano and we had a few passengers interested in a walk to the patches as well as a taxi tour to the patches, all with local guides. A few passengers were interested in golf and so had a go on our course. This went down a treat and they were impressed by the uniqueness of it, and enjoyed a new package which offered a golf tie, golf certificate, score card and a play on the course which is now included as a regular option for visitors.
Day 2 - Another nice day but a bit cooler. Eleven passengers went on a trip to the peak with two local guides. A fishing trip was organised by boat with two local fisherman and a few of the passengers went off on this excursion. The fishing trip was a success and they caught a lot of fish from Cape Mackerel to Steambras. A few more passengers wanted to play golf as the people previously had had such a great time. I took a few passengers on a tour to Peter Green's house the area of William Glass house, School and Factory. The rest of the passengers wondered around village and patches area enjoying the lovely sunshine.
Day 3 - Europa left before daybreak and went of to Nightingale. She was followed by the Police Rib with local guides. Weather was calm their and passengers were able to land. After this event the barque Europa left for Cape Town on 31st March.
|
Visit of MV Minerva on 18th March 2009 Photograph of MV Minerva off the Settlement from David Morley |
Dramatic visit of MV Corinthian on 15th March 2009 | |
Photograph of MV Corinthian off the Settlement (where the harbour was closed) from David Morley |
|
Visit of MV National Geographic Explorer On 2nd March, passengers came ashore for tours of the Settlement and walks to the 1961 volcanic cone and lava flow Tasha Reilly reports on the Explorer's Visit to Tristan on 2nd March |
|
Below ~ Photograph from Leo Genin shows MV Explorer at anchor |
||
|
||
MV National Geographic Explorer's two day visit allowed passengers Photographs from Leo Genin Left and Right : Landing on |
||
|
|
|
|
Photographs from Leo Genin show : |
|
Editor's Note ~ |
|
| |||||||||||||||
Visit of MS Europa on Saturday 13th December 2008 - see our Cruise Ship Visits 2006-8 Page for pictures and a report |