Tristan : MV Edinburgh finally departs after being delayed twice
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 12.09.2007 (Article Archived on 26.09.2007)

The MV Edinburgh finally departed Cape Town on Monday the 20th August after being prevented from sailing on the 14th and 18th August, due to mechanical problems.

MV Edinburgh finally departs after being delayed twice

The MV Edinburgh finally departed Cape Town on Monday the 20th August after being prevented from sailing on the 14th and 18th August, due to mechanical problems.  This was not the only problem, bad weather and the Chief Engineer decision not to drive the vessel, in case of damaging the newly installed engine parts (at times only doing 5-7 knots), made the trip to Tristan last nine days instead of the usual seven. 

Arriving at Tristan later meant that the vessel just missed good weather and had to head for Inaccessible for shelter for the night.  The following day the weather had moderated and allowed the passengers to disembark late in the afternoon.  The following day there was a short opening in the weather and the islanders managed to get some of the cargo off the vessel, but not all.  The vessel then departed for fishing at Inaccessible island until the weather became suitable, this only happen on the 3rd September when the vessel completed the unloading of cargo and continued her fishing trip.

The Edinburgh will be departing for Cape Town again around the 18th October.

The South African research vessel SA Agulhas visits Tristan

The SA Agulhas departed Cape Town on the 6th September for its annual relief voyage to Gough Island via Tristan da Cunha. The vessel is due to arrive at Tristan on Wednesday the 12^th September at 10am.  Official visitors include the new Administrator Mr David Morley and his wife Jacki, an Optician, the Dental team from Scotland, as well as family and friends.

There will be a drinks reception in the Prince Philip Hall at 6:30 on Wednesday, for the community, to welcome the new Administrator and his wife and a chance to say farewell to Mr Mike Hentley and his wife Janice who will be joining the SA Agulhas on arrival, for a trip to Gough Island.  Mr Hentleys biggest achievement during his three year tour was to see the island being installed with an internet café and phones in all the island homes.  This has open many doors in the way of learning and training for all ages, and will keep family and friends in touch instantly, rather than rely on snail mail carried by fishing vessels on the nine sailings a year from Cape Town.

We wish both Mike and Janice all the best for the future.

Sarah Glass