Tristan da Cunha Shipping News

2025 SA Agulhas II Voyage

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

Departure from Tristan

The SA Agulhas II departed a day earlier than scheduled on Thursday 9th October 2025. At short notice, passengers went on board at 3:00pm and she departed for Cape Town at 6:00pm.

Helicopter ferrying departing passengers to the SA Agulhas II. Photo: Philip Kendall

Passengers are:

Islanders & Relatives: Vera Glass, Conchita Repetto & Summer Swain, Joan & Marie Repetto, Sandra & Deanna Rogers, Allan & Marlene Swain, Barry & Hazel Carter, Deborah & Megan Elsmore, and Rev. Lorna Lavarello-Smith.

Officials & Specialists: Corrine Aldred & Lois Duff (Blue Belt), Wendy Cain (RSPB), Virginia Golding (Nurse), Penelope Granger (Dentist), Sean Kryney (Crane Engineer), Erik Axel Lundberg (CTBTO), Robert Maciver (FCDO Infrastructure), Paul Mapasure & Fadzai Makumba (Chief Finance Officer & wife), Dr Silvio Morales Perez (Doctor), Emil Pirzenthal & Jessica Escobar Porras (Marine Biologists), Tracey Price (Social Worker), Craig Robertson (Chief Operating Officer), Fr. Tom Thomas (Catholic Padre), Jan van den Oever (Fortuna Representative), and Christine & Marius Van Veggelen (Nursing Officer & husband).

Arrival at Tristan

The SA Agulhas II arrived at 3.15pm on Sunday 21st September 2025 and passengers were flown ashore shortly afterwards.

Philip Kendall's photograph shows the SA Agulhas II arriving offshore on the 21st September 2025

Passengers were:

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).

Monday 22nd September was a lovely sunny day and offloading commenced early in the morning.

We can see it! For some passengers, Tristan is home, and for others it is their first time, but either way, the island emerging from the mist and cloud on the horizon always brings people out on deck for a better view. Photo: Hazel Carter

Departure from Cape Town

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.

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

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