SAA II SITREP Voy 004-015

Hello All

The two weeks since departing Cape Town has gone passed very quickly with many things happening.

We are making our way south and would reach our furthest most latitude, for our first buoy deployment, at the very early hours tomorrow before turning west. There is a wary lull in the weather at the moment with hardly any movement on the ship, but knowing that we are in the roaring forties where some of the worlds worst weather conditions occur makes you quite anxious. We will celebrate the good weather and Neptune's grace with a evening braai even though outside temperatures are now well below 10°C...what South Africans will do for a braai is above imagination :-).

Enjoy your Friday and the start to the weekend.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-014

Hello All

Yesterday afternoon we deployed our first float and then a 2000m CTD in the evening.

Today turned out to be quite exiting with us on station to deploy the gliders. The first glider was struck by a wave of water as the vessel slammed down on the stern of which force broke its wing. We then had to deploy our Rescue Boat in marginal conditions to recover the glider again. We reviewed our deployment strategy and deployed the second glider with success. The glider was sent down to depth and return to the surface after communication to it from the shore station. We remained on station to deploy another float and completed a CTD station. We are hoping to deploy the "clipped" glider on the north bound leg again.

Have a good end to the week.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-013

Hello All

Yesterday afternoon all the visiting scientist were flown back onboard before the vessel settled on anchor in Transvaal Bay.

We prepared the vessel for a deep sea passage and rang full away at 08:00 Z  this morning shortly after our radio schedule with the DCO.

We stopped for our first CTD only an hour after departing from the base in inclement weather conditions, but managed to hold station.

Shortly after lunch today we deployed our first ARGO float from the vessel and all went well.

Enjoy the day and all the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-012

Hello All

After afternoon tea yesterday afternoon we recovered the anchor and steam offshore until a depth of over 500 meters were reached for a CTD cast. The cast went well and we were at anchor again in Quest Bay shortly before supper.

This morning conditions were good and some extra stores were required on the island and a visit for the ship based scientists were made possible. The B206 flew passengers between 09 and 10. We then used the sheltered bay to complete our lifeboat exercise by launching the port lifeboat and giving Officer's and crew familiarization in the boats launching and operation, we did the same for the FRB.

We will remain at anchor until tea time today after which we would recover the anchor and steam to Transvaal Bay for the passenger flights back to the ship. We are planning to leave for the buoy run tomorrow morning.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-011

Hello All

We remained at anchor during the preceding 24 hours. Yesterday we dragged the anchor a short distance when the wind came up over 40 knots, but after paying out another shackle she kept well. This morning was almost windless and we managed to do a helicopter flight to the island to pick up the two SAWS personnel who would be joining us for the buoy run. We are planning to leave Wednesday on the buoy run, a day earlier than scheduled, so that we have more time in the bag for the back loading on our return should the weather be foul.

I hope you had a good start to the week.

All the best.

SAA II SITREP Voy 004-010

Hello All

After completing the fuel pumping yesterday we recovered the open moor and shifted the anchor position a little further offshore with the wind predictions from the NW and SW.

Today we wanted to complete some passenger flights to the island but the gusting wind with occasional rain squalls made flying marginal and it was decided to suspend flights for the day.

If the wind direction remains we will maintain our anchorage here in Transvaal Bay.

Have a relaxing Sunday.

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.