The SV Urchin was chartered to transport conservationists from Cape Town to Inaccessible Island, arriving 7th December 2023.

Visit of the Yacht SV Urchin

Report from Kelly Green and Cynthia Green

Because there was no space on the scheduled pre-Christmas ships, Tristan's Conservation Department chartered the yacht SV Urchin to transport the Flax Eradication Team directly from Cape Town to Inaccessible Island where they will once again be working. After dropping them off at Inaccessible on Thursday 7th December 2023, she sailed past the settlement about 4:00pm, then headed for home.

Arriving passengers were: Carmen Ferreira, Brandon Cloete, and Jedd Cossey. They have also been joined by Tristan-based Christiaan Gerber.

She returned to Cape Town with entomologists Norbert Maczey and Chris Malumphy, who have been on the island working with the conservation team.

Yacht SV Urchin sailing off Tristan in 2021

Yacht SV Urchin pictured sailing off Tristan in 2021
(photo: Emil Pirzenthal)

The Urchin has visited the islands twice before. Firsr, she was chartered by the RSPB in March 2021 to transport personnel for their Mouse Eradication team, including participating Tristanians. She was chartered a second time in December 2021 to transport the Flax Eradication Team to Inaccessible.