Captain’s log - Maiden Voyage…. 02/05/12

Hello All

As my kids said…only one more sleep!!

We came in thick fog yesterday afternoon into the St. Helena Bay anchorage and was actually quite surprised to find a handful of bulkies anchored in the bay, probably waiting on their berths to come available at the iron ore terminals in Saldanha. Well we found a snuggle spot to anchor for the night while waiting on some DEA personnel to come onboard the next morning early to brief us on our arrival proceedings.

We were lucky and the fog lifted nicely to allow us to run our FRB in and pick 3 delegates up this morning. We are also taking out some time to dress up the ship and prepare the accommodation ladder and so forth. We would not want to struggle with any of those things tomorrow.

After our last team supper tonight we will recover the anchor and make for our last leg to the Mother City, hold thumbs for a good weather day, please. 

Have a good midweek and see you tomorrow.

All the best.

_________________________

Kind Regards

Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II 

Caiptan’s log Maiden Voyage…. 29/04/12

Hello All
 
We were treated to quite the steak night last night and were only short of a nice glass of merlot, but that left for another time.

This morning we woke up to the best weather we had this voyage and the sea looked more like a lake with only a long south westerly swell giving away its true colours. We decided to use this weather to stop for a short while and respool the top layer of the CTD winch wire by deploying the Mock-Up CTD we have onboard. This also gave the guys a good chance to familiarise themselves with the equipment. We also opened and tested the moonpool hatches while we were stopped. It is days like this that one wants to test and deploy all the boats and equipment that you can since there are not many such days especially in the southern oceans where we would normally find ourselves.

We are still making very good speed and are well on schedule for our intended arrival in Cape Town on the morning of the 3rd of May 2012.

Have a relaxing Sunday and see you next week
Kind Regards
Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II

Captain’s log Maiden Voyage…. 28/04/12

Hello All
  
Yesterday afternoon went rather eventless and we took some time to appreciate the Freedom’s day celebration, even though at sea most days feel the same and only diffirentiated by what is on the menu, which brings us to tonight….last steak night before Cape Town…Whooww!

This morning we had an amazing occasion to celebrate. Today it is the 50th Birthday of our onboard ETO (Electro Technical Officer) and it was rightly celebrated with a large cake and coffee for all in the mess room. A “A3” size birhtday card was sigend by all, after all it is a really big birthday and it is nice to share it with Vince Kruger here onboard the S.A. Agulhas II on her maiden voyage. I am sure that another celebration will be on the cards once he is home with friends and loved ones.
 
We are now abeam to the West of Walvisbay by 290 Nautical Miles and this morning edged our course a bit more in towards the coast. We are having a stunning day out at sea with the South Easter now a mere gentle breeze.
 
Well, I do hope that you are all standing around a Saturday afternoon “braai” with a cold one in hand waiting in anticipation for the rugby to kick off.
 
All the best.

Kind Regards
Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II

Captain’s log Maiden Voyage…. 27/04/12

 Hello All

We made good progress at our reduced settings and are now sort of half way between the Kunene and Walsvisbay quite far offshore, but closing daily.

The skies today are more overcast than usual and rain was threatening but never came through. The barometric pressure has been constantly high though at around 1015, so maybe that explains it. The South easter we have been facing the last view days remained through the last 24 hours and we wonder when that will finally change.
 
I believe Cape Town has been getting some rain, winter is coming then.
 
Well, enjoy your day of Freedom.

 All the best.

 Kind Regards
 Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II

Captain’s log - Maiden Voyage…. 22/04/12

Hello All

Today opened clear, but the South Easterly wind is building. The adverse current we experienced slacked off a bit, but increased again shortly before lunch. This current knocked our average speed back by about 1.5 knots over the preceding 24 hours. We are still well ahead of schedule and have some buffer time if the weather came up.

Our ETA for Cape Town pilot station is 08:00LT on the 3rd of May 2012.

_________________________

Kind Regards

Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II | SMIT Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd

Captain’s log - Maiden Voyage…. 21/04/12

Hello All

Yesterday was a very awkward day onboard with all the polliwogs very nervous for the initiation day.

There nervea proved to be justified when King Neptune’s Royal Party visited the vessel today and gave the first time equator crossing sailors a proper initiation into the order of the deep. I must admit each one of them deserve credit for their brave efforts and endurance. Attached is a photo of King Neptune and his Royal Party and a group photo of all the sailors that were initiated.

We are in the doldrums and the vessel is sailing along quietly with no sea to talk of really and a gentle swell from ahead. We are now spotting more and more sea life with the flying fish, whales, dolphins, sharks and the odd 

We have been picking up quite a strong adverse current since this morning after tea which is slowing our progress by 2 knots.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

All the best.

_________________________

Kind Regards

Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II | SMIT Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd

Captain’s log - Maiden Voyage…. 20/04/12

Hello All

Sjoe! the water temp shot up to 28°C with the outside temperature following….we do not mind.

Yesterday we saw many flying fish scattering over the water surface as we disturbed their ways. Today we have complete overcast skies and had a cloud break a short while ago. Finally that “free” wash we were hoping for.

We had word that Neptune will visit the vessel tomorrow to convert the “polliwogs” to “shellbacks” as we make our way over the 0 degree latitude line. Needless to say there are several worrying faces around.

Keep well and all the best.

Kind Regards

Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II | SMIT Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd

Captain’s log - Maiden Voyage…. 17/04/12

Hello All

We went a bit further offshore yesterday and almost feel deserted out here now with no traffic on the radar or AIS, maybe not a bad things for these parts.

We had to slow down during the morning hours to change converters due to some alarms, but this was quickly cleared up and we continued within a short while. The sea remains following all the way and even at our reduced setting we are managing more than 14 knots with the wind pushing us along. The current that has been against us the past 2 days has also now disappeared. It is quite confusing for us in the morning, since it only becomes light between 8 and 9. This is because we decided to remain on SA time. We are altering due south now and will be altering straight for SA when we hit the 10°N latitude at which point our days would start to normalise as we head east again. The time is flying by with our busy days and every day we are a step closer to home.

Other than some sea birds we have not seen much in way of sea animals. There has been 3 racing pigeons that hitched a ride for 2 days, but they are also gone now, probably only sat on deck to have a rest.

Good luck and enjoy the rest of your week. 

Kind Regards

Freddie Ligthelm | Master - S. A. Agulhas II