The MFV Lance departed Tristan on the 16th May 2025.

Much delayed MFV Lance April-May 2025 Voyage

Reports from Geraldine Repetto

Departure from Tristan

The MfV Lance took passengers on board at 4.00pm Friday 16th May 2025, and set sail for Cape town at 7.00pm. The following passengers were:

Islanders: Warren Glass, Neil Swain Glenda Rogers & Holly Rogers.

Non islanders: Dr Tinashe Muvezwa & Tariro Machayasimbi (Medical Officer and wife), Head Teacher Peter Foster, Electricians Richard Noble, Best Paradza, Willem Snygans & Tinashe Mamhute.

MFV Lance off Tristan in September 2024. Photo: Philip Kendall
Right: The MFV Lance off Tristan in September 2024.
Photo: Philip Kendall

Arrival at Tristan

The MFV Lance arrived at Tristan at approximately 9:00pm on Friday, 9th May 2025. Saturday morning offered a small window of opportunity for the raft to collect passengers but not all their luggage. It was not until the 13th May that the sea calmed enough to allow offloading to continue.

Passengers were: Islanders: Dilys Green & Ian Lavarello, April, Adrian & Samantha Swain;

Non-islanders: Fourche Conradie, Anushka, Rishka & Charles Hahn (Ovenstone Technical Manager and family), Dr Silvio Morales Perez (Doctor), and Anel De Waal (Nurse).

Departure from Cape Town

The voyage of the MFV Lance that had originally been scheduled to depart Cape Town in February 2025 was effectively cancelled because of mechanical difficulties. These required new parts to be sourced from overseas, which could not be done quickly. The ship eventually departed on the 30th April 2025 at about 8:00pm local time.