SA’s icebreaker, the SA Agulhas II, makes a major contribution to understanding global climate systems and protecting marine and polar environments, particularly the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
Claire Keeton departed Durban on Saturday for Cape Town with scientists who demonstrated how samples are collected from the ocean and analysed in the floating lab. The minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, Dion George, was among those on board.
17:10 sunset in the Durban port (Claire Keeton)
Crew pull in mooring ropes while the pilot ship prepares to guide the SA Agulhas II out of the port. (Claire Keeton)
Crew demonstrates how to get into an immersion suit and lifejacket during an emergency drill. (Claire Keeton)
Scientist Vanessa Stephen (right) is returning home after a year on Marion Island studying seabirds. (Claire Keeton)
Ocean equipment on board the SA Aghulas II. (Claire Keeton)
Chemist Thato Mtshali tests the oxygen content of seawater hauled up by the CTD from 100m below the surface. (Claire Keeton)
Cargo ship framed against the setting sun at sea. (Claire Keeton)
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