Tristan da Cunha Shipping News

MFC Lance's September-October 2025 Voyage

Report from Cynthia Green Departure from Cape Town The Lance departed Cape Town at 1.30pm on Wednesday 17th September 2025. Passengers are: Islanders: Neil Swain, Terence Green, Eugene, Kirsty, Aiden & Ella Repetto, Albert & Marion Green, and Colin Hagan. Non-islanders: Dr. Acela Lopez and Mr. Romano Conway (Doctor & partner).
Right: MFV Lance at the end of a rainbow in June 2025. Photo: Odile Cesari

2025 SA Agulhas II Voyage

Report from Cynthia Green with additional reporting from the Sunday Times of South Africa

The much delayed annual SA Agulhas II voyage to Tristan and Gough Island finally departed Cape Town on Monday 15th September 2025 at about 8:30pm.

Chantelle Repetto's photo shows the Cape Town skyline as the SA Agulhas II departs.

Passengers are:

Resident Islanders & Relatives: Randall & Chantelle Repetto, Gerald Repetto, Simon, Natasha & Owen Glass, Renee & Dylan Green, Rodney Green, Sarah & Connor Glass-Green, Andrew & Tanya Green, Patricia Repetto, Conrad & Sharon Glass, Kenneth Green, Glenda & Holly Rogers, Miranda Repetto, Lorna Lavarello–Smith, Deborah & Megan Elsmore, and Barry & Hazel Carter.

Officials & Specialists: Louise Kendall (Administrator's wife), Andy Schofield & Wendy Cain (RSPB), Ms. Odile Ceasari (CTBTO Manager), Erik Axel Lundberg (CTBTO), Nick Schonfeld & Julia Gunther (Archive Project), Robert Maciver (FCDO Infrastructure), Christopher Carnegy & Roger Price (Tristan UK Representative & Partner), James Wallace (Fortuna Managing Director), Jan van den Oever (Fortuna Representative), Penelope Granger (Dentist), Tracey Price (Social Worker), Fr. Tom Thomas (Catholic Padre), Sean Kryney (Crane Engineer), and Corrine Aldred & Lois Duff (Blue Belt).

Receding Cape Town is lit up as the Pilot Boat sends the Agulhas II on her way.

More Information about the Delay

We reported previously that the ship had been delayed because of "unforeseen operational complexities". An article by Philani Nombembe in South African Sunday Times, 14th September, gives further details.

The unexpected delay in the departure resulted from issues with recruiting South African nationals for the next Gough Island team. Candidates for the Gough posting need to be psychologically and medically fit enough to endure 13 months confined with a small team at an isolated placement. Extraction would be difficult should any problems occur, as briefly happened last year at South Africa's Antarctic base. This is a concern that South Africa shares with other countries with bases in Antarctica and on remote Sub-Antarctic islands.

Unfortunately, some of the candidates failed the critical tests used for assessing their suitability for the Gough team, and the difficulty of finding and testing suitable replacements was what delayed the departure of the Agulhas II for so long.

The extended delay was very frustrating for passengers, and it remains to be seen what the final impact will be for Tristan generally. However, passengers generally made the best of their situation while waiting onboard. They had a grandstand view of the lunar eclipse that took place on the 7th September.

The 7th September lunar eclipse as viewed from the deck of the Agulhas II. Photo: Hazel Carter

2025 SA Agulhas II Voyage Delayed

Report from Philip Kendall

The annual SA Agulhas II voyage to Tristan da Cunha that should have departed Cape Town on the 4th September 2025 will not leave until the 16th September.

The SA Agulhas II in Cape Town harbour on the 3rd September 2025. Photo: Barry Carter

A public notice posted on the 1st September 2025 announced that the departure of the SA Agulhas II would be delayed due to unforeseen operational complexities until the 8th September. Passengers were requested to board her as originally scheduled on the 4th September, which they did. However, the departure date then slipped to the 11th September, and has since slipped further.

Administrator Philip Kendall writes:

"The ship should have arrived today [10th September], but she is still alongside in Cape Town, with a predicted departure date of Tuesday 16th September. This is seriously inconvenient for us, creating uncertainty, shortened delivery of essential services and supplies. Not to mention shortened family visits.

All Tristan passengers and cargo have been on board for a week, and are in reasonable spirits. However, although everyone is taking it in their stride for now, the longer the delay continues, patience may wear thin."

At the moment, the return sailing to Cape Town in mid-October is believed to be unaffected by this change.

Kelly Green's August report from Tristan
Featuring Penguins, Ships, and Challenges 29-Aug-2025
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MFV Edinburgh's August-October 2025 Voyage
The MFV Edinburgh arrived at Tristan on the 24th August 2025. 25-Aug-2025
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Tristan da Cunha Shipping Schedules
Schedules and fares for the few ships that regularly travel between Cape Town and Tristan da Cunha. 4-Aug-2025
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Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Cruise Ships
Details of cruise ships that regularly or occasionally visit Tristan da Cunha. 11-Jul-2025
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MFV Lance June 2025 Voyage
The MFV Lance departed at Tristan on the 17th June 2025. 18-Jun-2025
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Much delayed MFV Lance April-May 2025 Voyage
The MFV Lance departed Tristan on the 16th May 2025. 17-May-2025
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