Governor's three-day visit to a sombre Tristan da Cunha
The Governor of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, His Excellency Nigel Phillips CBE and his wife Emma departed Cape Town aboard MFV Edinburgh on Monday 13th March 2023 for a planned three day visit.
The visit was over-shadowed by the serious illness of Tristan Administrator Sean Burns who was admitted to the Camogli Healthcare Centre on 9th March 2023 and evacuated from the island with his wife Marina by the German research vessel RV Meteor on 14th March en route to Cape Town for treatment.
Before Sean's departure, Chief Islander James Glass was sworn in as Acting Administrator.
Tragically, Sean passed away on Thursday 16th March aboard RV Meteor during the voyage to Cape Town.
HE Nigel Phillips arrived at a sombre Tristan da Cunha on Monday 20th March for a full programme of meetings, visits and events which we will report separately.
Governor Nigel Phillips with Acting Administrator Lorraine Repetto and Chief Islander James Glass
after a ceremony to swear-in Lorraine as Acting Administrator in the Tristan da Cunha Council Chamber
on 22nd March 2023. Photo - Cynthia Green.
As James Glass and his wife Felicity were due to depart the island aboard MFV Edinburgh, the Governor oversaw a ceremony in the Council Chamber to swear-in Tristan Treasurer Lorraine Repetto as acting Administrator. As with James, Lorraine has occupied this crucial post previously.
On Wednesday 22nd March, HE Nigel Philipps and his wife Emma departed Tristan as planned aboard the cruise ship National Geographic Explorer, heading for St Helena. On the same afternoon Chief Islander James Glass and his wife Felicity departed aboard MFV Edinburgh on its return voyage to Cape Town.