ENVIRONMENT FIRST!

AMSOL is contracted by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to man, manage and maintain the Antarctic Supply Vessel ‘S.A. Agulhas II’, which returned from her annual summer cruise to Antarctica last month, and the Environmental Research Vessel ‘Algoa’.

This entails the provision of an efficient crewing, procurement, maintenance and management function, delivered to international standards – and supports DEFF in fulfilling their mandate in the Antarctica & Islands and Oceans & Coasts departments.

The ‘Algoa’ recently returned from the Benthic Survey Cruise in the Namaqua Eco-Region, which included the Namaqua Marine Protected Area (MPA), the shelf edge of Namaqua Coastal area and the surrounding Ecological and Biodiverse marine areas of South Africa (EBSA’s). This is a key Operation Phakisa initiative contributing to marine spatial planning by providing a better understanding of the benthic invertebrate communities and habitats along the Namaqua Eco-Region.

The ‘SA Agulhas II’ arrived at Marion Island on the 13^th of April for her annual logistical and scientific voyage. This voyage includes a survey of the Inter-Island region, scientific research, cargo and fuel transfers, recovery and redeployment of moorings and vessel based weather observations.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all onboard, the crew quarantined for two weeks prior to departure as a preventative measure.