16 February 2015

The Department of Environmental Affairs will once again welcome back the SA Agulhas II as she returns from her almost 3 months annual voyage from Antarctica on Tuesday, 17 February 2015 at the East Pier Shed, Cape Town.

Aboard the vessel will be the Sanae 53 expedition team, DEA’s supporting team, members from the National Department of Public Works, Starlite Aviation, and the Scientists who left for Antarctica last year on 28 November 2013 and have spent 14 months at the base conducting critical research.

Some of the scientists on-board are from the University of Stellenbosch who have collaborated with Finland on a joint project where this team tested noise vibration, slamming with its effect on the vessel so that measures could be explored to ensure the protection of sensitive equipment and the greatest comfort for the crew and passengers.

They also gathered statistics and tested the Antarctic ice to become more knowledgeable about the composition of the Antarctic sea ice in order to discover  buried secrets which will be a huge benefit to South Africa and globally, especially in the area of climate change and predicting of sea level rise. 

Media is invited to cover the welcome ceremony as follows:

Venue: East Pier Shed, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Date: 17 February 2015

Time: 08:00

To RSVP contact:

Tshego Letshwiti
Cell: 076 307 9634
E-mail: tletshwiti@environment.gov.za

Sipho Mawoko
Tel: 021 441 2788
E-mail: smawoko@environment.gov.za

For media queries contact:

Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483