SA pulls off Antarctic rescue
3 July 2002
South Africa’s ice-strengthened research vessel the SA Agulhas is headed home from Antarctica after airlifting 89 Russian scientists and crew whose vessel, the Magdalena Oldendorff, was stranded by severe mid-winter conditions on the icy continent.
The Agulhas departed on Sunday 16 June and arrived at the northern edge of the ice in the Antarctic - 1 840 nautical miles from Cape Town - on Wednesday 26 June. The Magdalena is stranded in the Bay of Muskegbukta, approximately 510 nautical miles from the ice edge.
The Agulhas proceeded to within about 330km of the Magdalena, and from there its two Oryx helicopters proceeded to airlift over 2 000kg of supplies and evacuate 78 Russian expedition personnel and 11 crewmembers, finally completing their mission on Monday 1 July.
The SA Agulhas on familiar ground. (Photo: Marine & Coastal Management, Dept of Environmental Affairs & Tourism)
The helicopters' flying time to and from the Agulhas, flying at 120 knots per hour, was approximately 3 hours 20 minutes.
The two Oryx 'ice choppers', on loan from the South African Airforce's 22 Squadron, had been downgraded to 'standard status' about 18 months ago. They were re-equipped with ice detection and anti-ice systems in just three days prior to this mission.
Flying conditions in Antarctica this time of year are hazardous. The window for flying is restricted to 5-6 hours per day, due to the length of the polar night. This does not take into account the weather conditions - a relatively simple operation such as refuelling can be extremely difficult in sub-zero temperatures.
The crews are highly experienced, however, and all risks were assessed and minimised as far as possible. 22 Squadron has many years of
experience in Antarctic support, and was an integral part of the summer change-over at the SA National Antarctic Expedition base until last year.
President Thabo Mbeki congratulated the captain of the Agulhas and his team, saying: "This mission follows in the footsteps of many great South Africans who have placed the welfare of others above their own needs. Your selflessness serves as an inspiration to all South Africans - you did South Africa proud."
The journey home for the Agulhas will take about seven to eight days, with the vessel still having to navigate through 180 miles of ice before it reaches the open waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. "We are not home free yet, as I still have to get the Agulhas through 333km of ice. Some ice areas are thicker than others, but nothing my ship can't manage," Captain Tate said.
On Tuesday 1 July, the Agulhas was reportedly sailing at an average speed of eight knots through the ice, and would
pick up speed as the ice became thinner. "Air temperature is much more bearable, at -7.4 degrees Celsius - 'warmer' than yesterday's 23.1 degrees Celcius below freezing," Tate commented. The sea temperature was -2 degrees Celcius.
The Magdalena remains in the same position of relative safety as the Bay of Muskegbukta continues to offer it protection from floating ice, thus ensuring its safety from moving icebergs. Monday's transfer of 18 personnel was successfully completed just as the deteriorating weather, with snowfall and 40-knot winds, was settling in around the vessel.
The Argentinean icebreaker Almirante Irizar, which sailed from Bahia Blanco on Friday 28 June, was expected to arrive in the Antarctic on 8 July, with the aim of breaking through the ice to get alongside the Magdalena.
The Magdalena Oldendorff, a German-owned vessel chartered by the Russian crew, encountered severe ice conditions en route to Cape Town from its base in
the Antarctica. On 11 June, the master of the Magdalena reported that the vessel was unable to cross a belt of ice between 40 and 50 nautical miles wide and requested assistance.
The crew aboard the Agulhas are experienced in working in the harsh Antarctic conditions, and completed their annual 2001-02 summer cruise to the SA National Antarctic Expedition base in February 2002. The vessel is equipped with high-tech communication equipment, including Sat-A and Sat-C systems, as well as two 1 500-watt radio systems.
South Africa is part of the Antarctica treaty which forbids, among other things, the use of the icy continent for military purposes, testing of nuclear weapons or exploitation of minerals, and has a history of international collaboration in Antarctic programmes. During Antarctica relief voyages from December 2001 to February 2002 alone, South Africa assisted counties such as Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, the Netherlands and
Japan.
South Africa’s relationship with the Magdalena Oldendorff spans three years. The South African National Antarctic Programme’s annual Antarctica expedition is launched from Cape Town aboard the Magdalena.
The partners involved in the rescue operation included Antarctic Logistics Centre International (Pty) Ltd, Meihuizen International - agents for the SA Agulhas and the Magdalena Oldendorff - SMIT Marine South Africa (Pty) Ltd, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.
The South African Weather Service provided regular daily weather forecasts to the rescue mission's land-based operations team in Cape Town.
SouthAfrica.info reporter. Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
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