Tristan da Cunha Shipping News

MV Lance's September-October 2022 Voyage

Report by Cynthia Green

Arrival at Tristan

The MV Lance arrived at Tristan on Thursday 29th September 2022 at 5:30pm but was unable to land passengers until Sunday 2nd October because of adverse sea conditions. This was also the occasion of the maiden voyage of the sland's new cargo raft or pontoon. Off-loading of cargo commenced the following day.

Tristan's new cargo raft preparing for its maiden voyage to the MV Lance to pick up passengers. Photo: Jason Ivory

Passengers were: Islanders: Terence & Maureen Green, Ricky & Amanda Swain, Maria & Kailey Swain, Clifton Repetto, and Rodney Green, Sarah & Connor Glass-Green. The ship also carried Tristan's Covid-19 booster vaccines.

Departure from Cape Town

The MV Lance departed Cape Town for Tristan at 16:00hrs on Tuesday 20th September 2022.

The MV Lance at anchor off the settlement in July 2022.

Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Visitors' Feedback
Feedback from visitors to Tristan da Cunha. 20-Sep-2022
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2022 SA Agulhas II Voyage

Reports and photos from Cynthia Green and Jason & Sue Ivory

Departure from Tristan

On arrival at Tristan, the SA Agulhas II was unable to off-load all her cargo before she had to head to Gough Island to relieve the meteorological station. She therefore resumed off-loading when she returned from Gough on the 11th September 2022. Off-loading continued until Wednesday 14th September. Passengers were flown aboard at about 10:00am, and the ship departed about 4:00pm for Cape Town via Gough Island. Tristan da Cunha is now back to normal!

Passengers being helicoptered to the Agulhas II on the 14th September 2022. (Photo: Tracy Tough)

Passengers are:

Resident Islanders & Relatives: Mr. Dylan Green & Mrs. Renee Green, Mrs. Barbara Glass, Miss Elizabeth Rogers, Mr. Neil Swain, Mrs. Joyce Hagan & Mrs. Deborah Swain, Mrs. Evelyn Hagan, Ms. Linda Evans, Mrs. Deborah Elsmore, Ms. Paula Swain & Ms. Tracy Tough, Mr. Gregory Kessler & Mrs. Martha White, Ms. Linette Van der Merwe & Ms. Georgina Jones

Officials: Father Dominic Helmboldt (Catholic Padre), Ms. Anna Hicks (Volcanologist), Mr. Neil Golding (Marine Biologist), Ms. Tricia Granger (Dentist), Mr. Alexander Mclean (Dental Technician), Mr. Nicolas Brahy (CTBTO), Mr. Jarkko Rautiainen (CTBTO), Mr. Riaan Swanepoel (Infrastructure Adviser), Mr. Heinrich Witsche (Infrastructure Adviser), Mr. Stephen Townsend & Mrs. Fiona Kilpatrick (Outgoing Administrators), Mr. Richard Lockwood (Teacher), Miss Helene Jaumotte (Finance Officer), Ms. Angela Chikoko & Miss Bernice Murwisi (Midwife & daughter), Ms. Kate Sherry (Occupational Therapist), Mrs. Donna Blyth & Mr. Dominic Blyth (Head Teacher & husband), Mr. Craig Caldwell (Visiting Engineer), Prof. Michael Harte (Natural Resource Consultant).

Arrival at Tristan

The SA Agulhas II arrived off the settlement at 12:30 on Thursday 25th August 2022. Five helicopter flights disembarked passengers to the American Fence from 5:00pm after Covid tests and passports checks. Offloading of cargo commenced on the 26th August.

Newly landed passengers being greeted family, friends and hosts on American Fence next to St Mary's School, with the 1961 Volcano and the cliffs behind. (Video still: Sally Wonner)

The helicopter head back to the SA Agulhas II (photo: Tracy Tough)	Administrator-designate Jason Ivory's first photograph from the island

Passengers were:

Resident Islanders & Relatives: Mr. Trevor & Mr. Tristan Glass, Mr. & Mrs. Karl & Julia Hagan plus Kaitlyn Hagan, Mrs. Yvonne Glass, Mr. Christiaan Gerber, Ms. Linda Evans, Mrs. Deborah Elsmore & Miss Megan Elsmore, Ms. Paula Swain & Ms. Tracy Tough, Mr. Gregory Kessler & Mrs. Martha White, Ms. Linette Van der Merwe, and Ms. Georgina Jones.

Officials: Mr. & Mrs. Jason (Administrator-Designate) & Susannah Ivory, Mr. Emil Pirzenthal (Marine Biologist) & Ms. Jessica Escobar Porras (Marine Management Support Officer), Ms. Jacoba-Kumi Joubert (Nurse), Mr. Gerhard Kapp (Harbour Contractor), Mr. Riaan Swanepoel (Infrastructure Adviser), Mr. Heinrich Witsche (Infrastructure Adviser), Mr. Nicolas Brahy (CTBTO), Mr. Nicolas Berlot (New CTBTO Station Manager), Mr. Jarkko Rautiainen (CTBTO), Father Dominic Helmboldt (Catholic Padre), Ms. Anna Hicks (Volcanologist), Mr. Neil Golding (Marine Biologist), Ms. Tricia Granger (Dentist) and Mr. Alexander Mclean (Dental Technician).

SA Agulhas II in Cape Town Harbour, 2nd August 2022. (Photo: Sue Ivory)

Departure from Cape Town

On completion of loading, the SA Agulhas II left her berth on Cape Town's V&A Waterfront for immigration checks shortly before 13:00 on the 20th August 2020. She eventually set sail for Tristan about 17:15 local time.

Delays to Departure from Cape Town

Quarantining passengers for the SA Agulhas II who had cleared health checks were ferried from their hotels in sterile transport, and boarded the ship along with their baggage on Thursday 18th August 2022. However, departure was delayed for two days because the essential helicopters had not yet been loaded, being stuck at the airport, and this had a knock-on impact on some of the other cargo, including components for the island's new raft.

The new Tristan Administrator, Jason Ivory, about to board the SA Agulhas II on 18th August 2022

Preparations for Departure from Cape Town

Some 85 persons - crew, official contractors & workers, islanders, family and tourists - have been quarantining prior to embarkation on the SA Agulhas II at Cape Town, due for departure on the 18th August 2022. The ship has been quite a tourist attraction at the waterfront.

Passengers normally allow some time in Cape Town before embarkation to buy supplies and maybe take in some sight seeing. COVID precautions still apply this year, so passengers and crew have been required to quarantine for ten days and have a negative PCR test result prior to departure.

Tristan's consultant volcanologist Anna Hicks's photo of her travelling to Cape Town to join the SA Agulhas II nicely illustrates the amount of kit and baggage needed for an extended visit to Tristan..

The incoming Administrator Jason Ivory and his wife Sue celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary while in quarantine, which they made the most of with some very creative vegan meals made in the bijou kitchenette of their hotel room. Jason was able to continue remote working during quarantine, and they both read the new Tristan book "Nothing Can Stop Us" by way of more leisurely preparation.

Sue Ivory admires the SA Agulhas II during a harbour boat trip before entering quarantine	Jason Ivory enjoying a creative meal on their quarantine hotel balcony

Preparatory reading on the balcony	Jason and Sue's 30th wedding anniversary cards and presents

If you were on the Agulhas II, we'd appreciate your feedback using our Visitors' Feedback Form.

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