The SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s icebreaker and polar provide ship arrived at an ice shelf in Penguin Bukta, Antarctica on January 4.
The ship’s voyage was ‘principally easy-going’, in response to Professor Annie Bekker from Stellenbosch College. ‘The later departure of the SA Agulhas II has resulted in ice navigation later in the summertime,’ she mentioned.
The SA Aghulas II has arrived on the Antarctic ice shelf. What a sight!
[Pic via Stiaan Kotze] pic.twitter.com/D5U65Bz3wK
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) January 5, 2021
The ice is extra depleted within the hotter months, which makes the journey extra straight ahead, nonetheless, there was some ramming within the early hours of the morning on January 4.
Bekker’s textual content logged the Agulhas’ journey; she mentioned the ship encountered notable sea ice on the morning of January 3 – the ice floes measured roughly 10-metres in diameter and ‘had been concentrated at about 80% with some snow cowl and only some centimetres of ice thickness.’
When you arrive in Antarctica it’s not large waves that sluggish you down, it’s ice!
Captain Information Bengu expertly navigating the SA Aghulas II by means of to the ice sheet.
[Pic via Stiaan Kotze] pic.twitter.com/A4agcvwVdi
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) January 4, 2021
‘The ice cowl turns into more and more dense however the ship just isn’t required to point out her metal but – owing to the voyage being postponed later in summer season,’ mentioned Bekker, earlier than pondering how the later departure will have an effect on the Agulhas’ return voyage in March – ‘will she want to point out her metal then?’
The climate was turbulent at first of the brand new yr and the ship brushed by a storm because it approached Antarctica.
‘She was peppered with winds of fifty to 60 knots underway,’ mentioned Bekker.
‘If you’re fortunate sufficient to flee movement illness, the ocean spray from bow slamming compliments the spectacular sundown.’
The scientists aboard the SA Aghulas II are going through some large waves en-route to Antarctica. How has your day been to date? [Pic via Stiaan Kotze] pic.twitter.com/Vi0HFuOoVd
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) January 4, 2021
Let’s give an enormous shout out to the South African scientists en path to Antarctica aboard the SA Aghulas II. Wishing them a secure voyage. pic.twitter.com/cJTX2gG7pp
— Lewis Pugh (@LewisPugh) January 3, 2021
The S.A. Agulhas II changed its predecessor and namesake, the Agulhas I, which was retired from South African Nationwide Antarctic Programme (SANAP) responsibility in 2012.
It was designed to, each, conduct scientific analysis and carry provides to South African analysis stations within the Antarctic, in contrast to the Agulhas I, which was in service for greater than 30 years.
The multipurpose vessel value the Division of Environmental Affairs greater than R2-billion and might function an icebreaker, analysis vessel, expedition vessel, provide vessel and cruise ship.
It’s 134-metres lengthy and might maintain 100 researchers and 45 crew members.
Image: Twitter