Administrator's 2025 trip overseas
Report and photos from Tristan Administrator Philip Kendall
Our journey to Cape Town nearly didn't happen. The Silver Wind was unable to offload their passengers and it was touch and go whether we would be able to board, but thanks to the skill of the Tristan search and rescue team, we and the Tristan lobsters were able to make it, albeit slightly damp, on 27th March 2025.
The MV Silver Wind
Philip Kendall's Q&A session with passengers about life on Tristan
The crossing to Saldanha Bay was a little bumpy with 4.5m swells, but we filled the time with presentations, Q&A sessions and regaling passengers with tales from Tristan over dinner. After a short break in Saldanha Bay where we arrived a day earlier than expected due to the non-landing at Tristan, our berth became free in Cape Town and we landed at the Waterfront. In Saldanha I happened across an old friend of Tristan, the sailing vessel Urchin which will visit Tristan again in November.
With almost 20% of the Tristan population currently in Cape Town, it was good to see some familiar faces when we visited Tristan House. We had a chance to catch up with Rodney, Sarah and Connor before they headed off on their adventure in the Falklands. I also had a chance to chat face-to-face with Ian for the first time since his election.
My time in Cape Town is rarely my own, though Louise and I were able to pop over to Robben Island and to Aquila Game Reserve for a spot of tourism.
Meetings in Cape Town included the British Consulate General, Ovenstone, some of our suppliers and agents, the hospitals used by islanders, expat contractors and islanders stranded in Cape Town on the delayed sailing of the Lance, and of course Vourn and Sean who capably manage Tristan House.
Philip with recently-elected Tristan Chief Islander Ian Lavarello in Cape Town.
One subject which came up a lot during the meetings was the impact of the US tariffs on Tristan Lobster sales. Tristan, along with St Helena and Ascension, was hit with a 10% tariff, which is not insignificant. The implications have not yet been fully felt, and there is a lot of uncertainty. We will know more in the coming weeks and months.
The MS Queen Anne in dock at Cape Town.
Although it was rather a busy trip back this time, I was able to take some leave by travelling home from Cape Town by ship! Cunard's Queen Anne brought us back in style via Namibia, Senegal and the Canary Islands. Two weeks of luxury and relaxation.
Philip and Louise Kendall at the May Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Once in the UK in early May, I represented Tristan at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, and then with Mr Speaker in the margins of the Overseas Territories Speakers' Conference. The latter gave me an opportunity to speak to both the Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty and the Shadow Minister Andrew Rosindell. One thing that struck me about both men, and indeed Mr Speaker, was their enthusiasm to help Tristan.
Philip Kendall with House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP.
I also met with the Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy and the Tristan Association Co-Chair John Cooper.
In mid-May I visited the Dutch-French OT of Sint Maarten and the French OT of St Barthélemy as part of an EU-funded conference to discuss the effects of climate change on coastal environments.
The departure date of the Lance has been brought forward to 2nd June, which is extremely inconvenient for me, as I have a large number of things left to do and won't achieve them all.
My plan is to fly from the UK overnight on 1st June and go straight to the ship from the airport.
Louise will not travel with me this time as she has some commitments during the time before our original planned departure (18th June). She will rejoin me on the next available vessel.