The M83 team on board the icebreaker SA Agulhas II has arrived safely at Marion Island and have started to reactivate the base after the previous team was evacuated from the island in May, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says.

A team of 32 members, including 20 personnel from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, landed on the island on August 10 to begin the process of reactivating the base.

This work includes transferring equipment for undertaking the reactivation and repairs, as well as cargo for restocking the base, by helicopter from the vessel to the island.

The process of offloading cargo will continue over the coming week. Barring any delays, the takeover function, whereby the base will be handed over to the M83 team, is currently scheduled to take place on August 25.

“The team on Marion Island has made great progress in getting the base up and running again, through careful coordination and cooperation from all stakeholders,” says Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister David Maynier.

“While there is still much work to be done, the efficient redeployment of the Marion Island team bodes well for the future of our research programme in the region.

“The research being undertaken at Marion Island is important. The Southern Ocean has a direct impact on South Africa’s climate and, therefore, on our country’s economy and security.

“It is vital that we retain our position as Africa’s leader in Southern Ocean and Antarctic research, through careful management of our bases on Marion Island and Antarctica,” he says.

The SA Agulhas II set off from Cape Town on August 5, following a short delay owing to the late arrival of helicopters.