Visit of the ketch SV Nicolisa, January 2025
Report from Kelly Green with photos from Tristan Glass and Philip Kendall
Over the past few weeks, the yacht Nicolisa had been lingering near the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. A single man was on board, the yacht's owner and skipper, was navigating without an AIS system and relying only on a handheld radio. This made tracking his movements and intentions to land quite challenging. At one point, we thought he had departed as the weather turned rough.
The ketch SV Nicolisa. Photo: Tristan Glass
However, on Wednesday 15th January 2025, while I was enjoying a calm, hot, but misty day off with my children at Runaway Beach, the Nicolisa reappeared through the fog. With no engine and barely any wind, the yacht crept along at a snail's pace. Fortunately, island boats - the fisheries vessel Wave Dancer and the conservation boat Arctic Tern - were out working that day. The Wave Dancer, assisted by the Arctic Tern, towed the yacht to anchor near the settlement.
This picture shows the foggy conditions when the Nicolisa was being towed to the anchorage. Photo: Tristan Glass
As the skipper attempted to drop anchor, it slipped from his hands and sank to the ocean floor. Thankfully, the kind crew of the Wave Dancer had a spare anchor, which they generously provided. To make his evening more comfortable, the conservation team also gifted him some fresh lobster tails.
The view from shore of Nicolisa being towed by Wave Dancer with Arctic Tern in attendance. Photo: Philip Kendall
The following day, the skipper radioed to say he planned to come ashore. After the necessary protocols were completed, I went down to the harbour to greet him. To my amazement, he was rowing to shore despite calm seas and winds gusting at 30 knots! As he arrived, the heavens opened, and it poured with rain. Fouché, a staff member from Ovenstone's factory, and I helped him pull his small boat onto the harbour.
The skipper was cheerful despite the weather. As we walked up to finalize his immigration paperwork, he shared that he had been at sea for 74 days and hadn't set foot on land since leaving Milford Haven, Wales. He passed through the Canary Islands, but did not land, and he hadn't been heard of since leaving Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on the 1st November 2024. His friends became so worried that they put out an International Marine Safety Alert for him on the 10th January.
Hearing about his voyage, I couldn't help but admire his bravery. After completing formalities, I took him to the shop, where he purchased fresh baked goods. Later, he made the most of the Starlink connection to contact family and friends.
As the wind began to pick up, I suggested he return to his yacht. Before he left, I packed him some fresh rolls, homegrown potatoes, and slices of gammon for supper.
Later, when we headed down to the harbour, it was clear that the swells had increased along with the wind. Fortunately, the Conservation team was in the harbour testing their new little RIB. I was relieved to see them, as I didn't think the skipper would have been able to row back to his yacht in those conditions. We filled his water cans, and the Conservation RIB kindly towed him safely back to his vessel.
The skipper rowing back out of the harbour to the Nicolisa. Photo: Kelly Green
On Saturday morning, while preparing for a family BBQ, I spotted him rowing ashore again - an incredible sight considering the distance he had to cover! Knowing he couldn't come ashore on Friday and shops would be closed over the weekend, he had radioed me his shopping list. I collected his supplies and helped him with some online forms. He spent the rest of the day connecting with family and friends. By 2:00pm, he was ready to set off again. I sent him off with a gift of freshly baked bread, beef, and a few other treats.
The following day, Sunday 19th January, he stayed aboard his yacht. After the departure of the MFV Edinburgh, he also sailed off, bound for Saldanha Bay. Before leaving, he promised to WhatsApp me upon his arrival, as I'd grown invested in his journey.
The skipper was a fascinating and kind individual, and we wish him all the best on his travels. We hope to welcome him back to Tristan da Cunha.
If you the skipper of the Nicolisa, we'd welcome your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.
Extra MFV Lance charter, January 2025
Report from Cynthia GreenDeparture from Cape TownThe MFV Lance has been chartered for an extra trip, which is bringing officials to do various work on the Island. She departed Cape Town in the afternoon of the 16th January 2025. Passengers are: Richard Noble, Best Paradza, Willem Gerhardus, Tinashe Mamhute, Martin Giles, Mark Hanekom, Jonathan Hanekom, Ashley Hofstander, Andre Groenewald (Electricians); Neil Golding (Mapping Surveyor), and Anna Hicks (Senior Volcanologist/Disaster Risk Reduction Geoscientist). |
MFV Lance backloading dusk, December 2024. |
MFV Edinburgh's November 2024 to January 2025 Voyage
Reports from Cynthia GreenDeparture from TristanDeparting passengers boarded the MFV Edinburgh in the afternoon of Sunday 19th January 2025, and she sailed for Cape Town at 5.30pm.
Departing passengers being loaded in the box onto a raft to be taken out to the Edinburgh. The passengers are: Islanders and relatives: David & Doreen Swain, Simon, Natasha & Owen Glass, Conrad & Sharon Glass, and Marina Burns; Non-islanders: Fouche Conradie, Anushka, Rishka & Charles Hahn (Ovenstone Technical Manager and family). |
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Arrival at TristanThe MFV Edinburgh arrived at Tristan at about 7:00am on Saturday morning, 30th November 2024. The following passengers came ashore just after 9:00am: Islanders: Brenda Swain, Duncan, Jackie & Janine Lavarello, Barbara Glass, Darren Repetto, Alison Swain, Clifton Repetto, Maria & Kailey Swain. Relative: Marina Burns; Non-islander: Virginia Golding (Nurse). Departure from Cape TownThe MFV Edinburgh departed Cape Town at midnight on Friday 22nd November 2024. |
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| Philip Kendall's photo shows the Edinburgh battling rough seas off the settlement in August 2024 | |
