The MFV Lance departed Tristan on the 7th July 2023.

MFV Lance June-July 2023 Voyage

Reports from Cynthia Green

Departure from Tristan

Offloading of the MFV Lance was completed on Friday afternoon 7th July 2023. The following passengers boarded at 3:00pm and she sailed for Cape Town shortly afterwards:

Islanders: Sandra & Deanna Rogers, Trevor Glass, Danny Swain, Lynette & Leah-Faye Green, Albert & Marion Green; Non-islanders: Nicolas Berlot (CTBTO Station Manager), and Samuel Lunga (Finance Consultant).

Right: Heading to the Lance. Photo: Carlene Glass-Green

 Passengers embarking on the MFV Lance

Arrival at Tristan

The MFV Lance arrived late in the evening of Friday 30th June 2023, and passengers came ashore on Saturday morning. The first day of offloading was on Monday 3rd July, which was a really nice day so quite a bit was done. There is still more to offload but sea conditions are not looking good until Saturday.

The passengers (all islanders) were: Gary & Rita Repetto, Glenda & Alfie Rogers, James & Felicity Glass, Ken & Judy Green, Shane, Kelly, Savanna & Seren Green.
The Bark Europa toppled over in dry dock in Cape Town

Departure from Cape Town

The MFV Lance departed Cape Town at about 14:40 local time on Thursday 22nd June 2023.

While gathering in Cape Town, the passengers encountered the astonishing sight of the Bark Europa toppled over in the Synchrolift dry dock at the V&A Waterfront. The ship is a regular visitor to Tristan.
Left: The unfortunate Bark Europa as seen by Lance passengers awaiting embarkation at Cape Town
Photo: Glenda Rogers

The Bark Europa

After the Bark Europa last visited Tristan in April this year, she headed to Cape Town for scheduled maintenance in the dry dock. Unfortunately, she partly toppled over in dry dock on the 20th May, injuring one sailor. The ship currently remains sloping at an alarming angle, but has been stabilised while a way is found to get her upright again and back in the water to complete repairs and maintenance.

Unsurprisingly, the ship has had to cancel her European cruises this year, but plans to cross the ocean back to South America in September to continue her Antarctica Expeditions. It is conceivable that she might call in at Tristan on the way. There is more information in the Bark Europa Logbook.