Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs’ SA Agulhas II will today return from her second relief voyage to Antarctica.
The SA Agulhas II is an icebreaking polar supply and research built in 2012 by STX Finland in Rauma, Finland, to replace the ageing S A Agulhas, which will be retired in the near future. Unlike her predecessor, SA Agulhas II was designed from the beginning to carry out both scientific research and supply South African research stations in the Antarctic.
“Scientists from South African research and higher learning institutions, such as the University of Stellenbosch, collaborated with Finland on a joint project to test noise vibration, slamming with its effect on the vessel in order to enhance protection measures of the vessel.
“In addition, they have also gathered statistics and tested Antarctic ice to advance knowledge about the composition of the Antarctic sea ice.
“The research activities will assist with further discovery of buried secrets which will benefit South Africa and the world at large, especially in the area of climate change and prediction of sea level rise,” the department said.
The vessel left for the Antarctica in November 2013 with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers, including those from international counterparts, who will remain in the Antarctic environment at the SANAE IV base for a period of 14 months.
The welcome ceremony for the vessel will be held at East Pier Quay, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the department has expressed its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Johannes Adriaan Hoffman, who passed away on Gough Island.
Hoffman, a member of the Gough53 expedition team, died early on Tuesday morning on the island, which lies in the southwest Atlantic.
He worked as an electronic technician in the development and maintenance of electronic and communication systems, with experience spanning over 15 years.
He had undertaken similar expeditions for the department in the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and the Marion Island and Antarctic base. It was his second expedition on Gough Island as a radio technician.
The department said the cause of Hoffman’s death is unknown at the moment and investigations are being conducted.
“His family has been informed of his tragic passing and the department is currently making arrangements to fetch the deceased from Gough Island. Psychological counselling sessions for the remaining team members will be arranged,” the department said. - SAnews.gov.za
