MFV Edinburgh's September-October 2020 Voyage
Reports from Cynthia Green.
Photos from Randal Repetto, Kumi Joubert, Fiona Kilpatrick and Rachel Green
Departure from Tristan
The Edinburgh departed Tristan for Cape Town at 9.10am on Thursday 8th October 2020. There are no passengers on board.
Arrival at Tristan
The MFV Edinburgh arrived at Tristan in the morning of Sunday 27th September 2020. As there was a flat calm, the passengers disembarked shortly after. They were very glad to be finally back home. It is hoped to finish off-loading on Monday.
Departure from Cape Town
The MFV Edinburgh departed Cape Town for Tristan at about 11:00am on Sunday 20th September 2020. The passengers on board are islanders: Conrad Glass, Sharon Glass, Warren Glass, Sheila Glass, Randal Repetto and Joan Repetto, as well as Ovenstone's Craig Bergh, and nurse Kumi Joubert. The ship is also taking three dogs to the island.
MFV Edinburgh moored at the quay in Cape Town | The Captain on the bridge |
COVID-19 quarantine precautions required passengers to embark the Edinburgh on the 11th September, which meant there was plenty of time to watch shipping come and go in the port and admire the Cape Town panorama with its backdrop of Table Mountain, the Lion's Head and Signal Hill.
This departure of the Edinburgh comes as a relief for the passengers. Most of them have been stranded in Cape Town by the coronavirus pandemic since the end of June, when they were originally due to return to Tristan on the Edinburgh. Unfortunately, as reported at the time, a positive COVID-19 test meant that they were not allowed to embark, and they had to return into quarantine in Tristan House to wait for a later voyage. There was always a risk that a similar problem could have occurred this time, but happily it did not.
Warren, Conrad and Kumi with the Edinburgh's four-legged passengers. |
Lifting cargo into the holds using the ship's crane. | Demonstrating the life-saving gear. | Cape Town recedes from view as the ship departs for Tristan da Cunha. |