SAA II SITREP Voy 004-009

Hello All

I apologies for the late report, but my attention was required elsewhere.

As predicted the weather turned out perfectly yesterday and we managed to complete all cargo discharge flights with the exception of some frozens that the island can not yet take until they have repacked their fridges.

We managed to bring the ship up on her open moor and ran out the fuel hoses around lunch time. The first bunch of hoses did not pass the air pressure test, even though they were tested back in Cape Town. Luckily we had our old set from the previous vessel, but it took quite some time to recover the hoses and redeploy before we could actually start the pumping. Once the pumping started it went smoothly and around 60 000 litres were pumped to the island to complete their requirements.

All hoses and boats were recovered during twilight as the dinner bell rang, which came as a relief to many who have been up since the crack of dawn in preparations for the days activities. I commend my crew.

I hope that you had a good Saturday and wish you a even better Sunday.

_________________________

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-008

Hello All

A boot washing ceremony and team leaders meeting was held yesterday afternoon in anticipation of today's arrival at Gough island. We were not quite sure if the weather would be workable, but all stations were on standby if it was.

We stopped for an hour yesterday afternoon shortly before supper to do a CTD cast before continuing on our way.

We were in Transvaal Bay early this morning and decided that it was all systems go with the weather workable. We completed all the passenger flights and changed over helicopters to complete several under slung loads to the island.

With the vessel holding station beautifully on DP it makes life much easier.  We are now preparing for the rest of the cargo to be flown off the vessel.

We have put aside tomorrow to complete the refueling on the island since it is predicted to be a very nice day weather wise, but in many ways the calm before the storm and from what we can see next week will not be workable at all.

Enjoy the weekend and all the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-007

Hello All

We spent the night around the Southern end of the island in anticipation of the NE'ly winds blowing onshore at Edinburgh Straits. This morning early we made our way to the North  Eastern side of Nightingale Island and were ready for helicopter operations at dawn. Being ready so at first light proved to have  been vital since by 09:00 it was closed up and raining with flying not piossible. We managed to get all 6 passengers and their gear flown onto the island.

We are now proceeding to Gough and will be there at first light. If conditions at Gough are workable we will start with our Passenger Flights.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-006

Hello All

We had quite a full day today at Tristan, hence the delayed report.

All and all everything went very smoothly today with all the Tristanians and there luggage safely ashore. Several others had the opportunity to visit the island for a quick walk around.

The weather was kind to us, which made life easier.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-005

Hello All

We are still pushing our way through strong head seas and large swell, but are making good progress and will achieve our ETA.

The activities are lined up for tomorrow and the day will be full. Luckily the weather prognoses is counting in our favor, but it is looking grim for the day there after. We have to conduct a helicopter drop for 6 people and their luggage on Nightingale on that day and hope that we could fit it in before the front closes in on the 13th...hold thumbs.

If all goes well we would make landfall at Gough on Saturday the 15th, which is looking quite good at this stage weather wise.

We will retard clocks tonight after which ships time will remain on GMT for the remainder of the voyage, before the return leg.

I am sure that there are many eager people onboard waiting on their visit to  Tristan Island.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-004

Hello All

The wind has regained a bit of strength and veered to the WNW after quieting down for a while last night. It gave us the opportunity to gain a bit of distance.

We retarded the ships clocks last night by one hour to GMT + 1 and will again on Tuesday night as we make our way to the west and coming in line with Tristan.

We managed a broken HF radio sched with TDC this morning and will try again tomorrow morning. Our anticipated arrival is building some excitement onboard now.

This morning we spent mostly on ship and helicopter personnel training and testing of the required safety equipment in anticipation of the arrival operations.

I hope you had a good start to the week.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-004

Hello All

The wind has regained a bit of strength and veered to the WNW after quieting down for a while last night. It gave us the opportunity to gain a bit of distance.

We retarded the ships clocks last night by one hour to GMT + 1 and will again on Tuesday night as we make our way to the west and coming in line with Tristan.

We managed a broken HF radio sched with TDC this morning and will try again tomorrow morning. Our anticipated arrival is building some excitement onboard now.

This morning we spent mostly on ship and helicopter personnel training and testing of the required safety equipment in anticipation of the arrival operations.

I hope you had a good start to the week.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-003

Hello All

We have been hampered by quite a strong Westerly wind and swell over the past 24 hours. Out scientific stations are also eating away at our distance run for the day, which means that it would be a push to get to Tristan on time for the morning of the 12th. Tomorrow the winds are said to be veering to north of west, which would allow for some weather routing hopefully.

Today, being Sunday, were more relaxed onboard with a interdenominational church service held for all onboard.

Enjoy your Sunday and the start to the week.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-002

Hello All

Time is flying and so are we with the fair weather in our favor.

Passengers were entertained today to briefings from all the various disciplines and dignitaries onboard, while the ships staff used the time to complete the weekly drills. We did experience one or two light drizzles but not anything to write home about.

We have set and ETA for TDC for 08:00 Z on the 12th of September 2012 and feel confidant that we would make that even with stopping twice a day for a 2000 meter CTD dip.

The drop keel has been lowered to improve the scientists ADCP readings.

Enjoy the rest of your day and the rugby.

SAA II SITREP 004-001

Hello All

Shoe there we go! Our departure from Cape Town yesterday was preceded by a flurry of events, which had all and sundry running around like headless chicken. Luckily we chose the perfect day to sail with many waking to red faces from sun exposure this morning.

We pushed along a bit over night to try and regain the time lost for the few delays we had and managed just that.

This morning we did our first CD cast to 2000m and was pleasantly entertained by a humpback whale flapping its tail for several minutes...show off :-)

Well hopefully the going will be good for the rest of the day as we approach our second CTD cast tonight at 20:00.

Have a splendid Friday. All the best.