Tristan da Cunha Shipping News

MFV Lance's September-October 2025 Voyage

Reports from Cynthia Green Departure from Tristan After backloading of lobster to the MFV Lance was completed on Wednesday 1st October 2025, passengers went aboard in the afternoon while the weather was nice. She sailed for Cape Town just after 10:00am on the 2nd October. Passengers are: Islanders: Karl & Julia Hagan, Stanley & Jean Swain; Officials: Chris Carnegy & Roger Price (Tristan UK Representative & Partner). Arrival at Tristan The MFV Lance arrived at Tristan at 8:00am on Thursday 25th September 2025. Passengers came ashore about 9:00am and offloading commenced shortly afterwards. Passengers were: Islanders: Neil Swain, Terence Green, Eugene, Kirsty, Aiden & Ella Repetto, Albert & Marion Green, and Colin Hagan. Non-islanders: Dr. Acela Lopez and Mr. Romano Conway (Doctor & partner).

Above: MFV Lance at the end of a rainbow in June 2025. Photo: Odile Cesari Below: Passengers being hoisted in the box onto the raft for embarkation on the departing Lance. Photo: Philip Kendall

The SA Agulhas II 2025 voyage visitors' first week on Tristan
With delays having shortened their stay, visitors on the SA Agulhas II have had a busy week. 30-Sep-2025
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2025 SA Agulhas II Voyage

Reports from Cynthia Green with additional reporting from the Sunday Times of South Africa

Arrival at Tristan

The SA Agulhas II arrived at 3.15pm on Sunday 21st September 2025 and passengers were flown ashore shortly afterwards.

Philip Kendall's photograph shows the SA Agulhas II arriving offshore on the 21st September 2025

Passengers were:

Resident Islanders & Relatives: Randall & Chantelle Repetto, Gerald Repetto, Simon, Natasha & Owen Glass, Renee & Dylan Green, Rodney Green, Sarah & Connor Glass-Green, Andrew & Tanya Green, Patricia Repetto, Conrad & Sharon Glass, Kenneth Green, Glenda & Holly Rogers, Miranda Repetto, Lorna Lavarello–Smith, Deborah & Megan Elsmore, and Barry & Hazel Carter.

Officials & Specialists: Louise Kendall (Administrator's wife), Andy Schofield & Wendy Cain (RSPB), Ms. Odile Ceasari (CTBTO Manager), Erik Axel Lundberg (CTBTO), Nick Schonfeld & Julia Gunther (Archive Project), Robert Maciver (FCDO Infrastructure), Christopher Carnegy & Roger Price (Tristan UK Representative & Partner), James Wallace (Fortuna Managing Director), Jan van den Oever (Fortuna Representative), Penelope Granger (Dentist), Tracey Price (Social Worker), Fr. Tom Thomas (Catholic Padre), Sean Kryney (Crane Engineer), and Corrine Aldred & Lois Duff (Blue Belt).

Monday 22nd September was a lovely sunny day and offloading commenced early in the morning.

We can see it! For some passengers, Tristan is home, and for others it is their first time, but either way, the island emerging from the mist and cloud on the horizon always brings people out on deck for a better view. Photo: Hazel Carter

Departure from Cape Town

The much delayed annual SA Agulhas II voyage to Tristan and Gough Island finally departed Cape Town on Monday 15th September 2025 at about 8:30pm.

Chantelle Repetto's photo shows the Cape Town skyline as the SA Agulhas II departs.

Receding Cape Town is lit up as the Pilot Boat sends the Agulhas II on her way.

More Information about the Delay

We reported previously that the ship had been delayed because of "unforeseen operational complexities". An article by Philani Nombembe in South African Sunday Times, 14th September, gives further details.

The unexpected delay in the departure resulted from issues with recruiting South African nationals for the next Gough Island team. Candidates for the Gough posting need to be psychologically and medically fit enough to endure 13 months confined with a small team at an isolated placement. Extraction would be difficult should any problems occur, as briefly happened last year at South Africa's Antarctic base. This is a concern that South Africa shares with other countries with bases in Antarctica and on remote Sub-Antarctic islands.

Unfortunately, some of the candidates failed the critical tests used for assessing their suitability for the Gough team, and the difficulty of finding and testing suitable replacements was what delayed the departure of the Agulhas II for so long.

The extended delay was very frustrating for passengers, and it remains to be seen what the final impact will be for Tristan generally. However, passengers generally made the best of their situation while waiting onboard. They had a grandstand view of the lunar eclipse that took place on the 7th September.

The 7th September lunar eclipse as viewed from the deck of the Agulhas II. Photo: Hazel Carter

2025 SA Agulhas II Voyage Delayed
The departure of the SA Agulhas II from Cape Town is delayed until the 16th September 2025. 11-Sep-2025
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Kelly Green's August report from Tristan
Featuring Penguins, Ships, and Challenges 29-Aug-2025
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MFV Edinburgh's August-October 2025 Voyage
The MFV Edinburgh arrived at Tristan on the 24th August 2025. 25-Aug-2025
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Tristan da Cunha Shipping Schedules
Schedules and fares for the few ships that regularly travel between Cape Town and Tristan da Cunha. 4-Aug-2025
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Page Updated: Tristan da Cunha Cruise Ships
Details of cruise ships that regularly or occasionally visit Tristan da Cunha. 11-Jul-2025
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MFV Lance June 2025 Voyage
The MFV Lance departed at Tristan on the 17th June 2025. 18-Jun-2025
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