Maiden visit of the Seabourn Venture
Report and photos from Kelly Green
At around 7:00am on Wednesday 6th March 2024, we caught sight of the Seabourn Venture coming towards Calshot Harbour. With 170 passengers and over 200 crew, we were really hoping it would be a successful day. At 8:30am the scout boat came in to pick up the immigration team. The Administrator was away at Gough Island, so Bob Urquhart the police advisor had the honour doing the plaque exchange with the captain, as it was her maiden voyage to Tristan da Cunha.
The Seabourn Venture arriving at Tristan
In no time the passengers started to be ferried to ashore. When the first people landed there were cheers of Joy and clapping as this was one couples fifth attempt to land on Tristan!
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| Police Adviser Bob Urquhart awaits the arrival of the ship's scout boat | Visitors gather with Tristan guides at the foot of the harbour road |
The guides were all waiting and ready to go at the harbour! We had three Volcano and Thatched House Museum tours with a total of 40 guest and four settlement walking tours with a total of 91 visitors.
Passengers landing at Calshot Harbour
Unfortunately the heavens decided to open up and the rain came down, but this didn't dampen the mood and there were still loads of smiles all around.
Visitors gather at the 'Remotest Island' sign for a walking tour of the settlement
The weather cleared up later, and the Post Office and Tourism Centre was packed. The famous Tristan Rock Lobster Sandwiches were very much in demand in the café.
Visitors throng the Post Office and Tourism Centre
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| Tristan's famous lobster sandwiches were especially popular at Café da Cunha | |
The day seemed to go super-fast, and its wasn't long before everyone had to head back to the ship. It was a good thing too, as the sea was getting more choppy. Just after 3:00pm the Seabourn Venture sounded her horn three times and headed over to Nightingale where she was to spend Thursday.
Passengers returning to the ship
We were just so pleased that the Seabourn Venture was able to land her passengers and crew, and that everyone had a wonderful day.