Yacht SV Urchin Calls at Tristan on the Way to Gough Island
Report compiled from social media. Photos from Fiona Kilpatrick and Sally Wonner
SV Urchin Calls at Tristan
In the early morning of Friday 19th March 2021, the SV Urchin (Urchin Sailing Expeditions) arrived off at Tristan da Cunha, having left Cape Town on 8 March 2021. The yacht stopped to pick up the Tristan islanders who will be working with the Gough Island Restoration Programme, and arrived at Gough on Sunday 21st March.
SV Urchin anchored off the Edinburgh of the Seven Seas
The crew came ashore for some sightseeing - the Patches, the settlement and the gift shop - before enjoying a wonderful lunch at the Residency with the co-Admins, Fiona Kilpatrick and Steve Townsend. After a visit to the volcanic peak left from the 1961 eruption, they were taken back down to the harbour. Fiona said, "It was great to see them all, and then send them on their way to Gough. Tristan is proud to be part of this incredible partnership."
The crew from the Urchin being brought into Calshot Harbour in the Conservation RIB
The Urchin's crew at the Residency with their banner, the Administrator and Tristan team members
Chief Islander, James Glass, Simon Glass and Matthew Green boarded the Urchin with all of their expedition equipment and gear. This will see them through the next three months on Gough, where they will observe the intricate processes that the Gough Island Restoration Team will go through. This incredibly well organised effort to eradicate the mice from the island is for the benefit of the pelagic bird colonies that nest and breed there.
Tristan conservation team and their gear loaded into the RIB to join Urchin on their way to Gough
Tristan conservation team depart the harbour in perfect conditions.
The Urchin's voyage is the third to deliver members of the Restoration Team to Gough. Tristan da Cunha is the custodian of Gough Island, on whose behalf the RSPB is leading the implementation of the mouse eradication. The RSPB are delighted to welcome two Tristanians to the project delivery team, and the Chief Islander, James Glass, in his capacity as Environmental Observer.