The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) team has commenced its journey to Marion Island as part of the annual relief voyage, marking the beginning of another important field season in support of South Africa’s long-term polar and sub-Antarctic research programmes.
M83 Overwintering Team
This year’s expedition marks the 83rd Marion Island relief voyage (M83) since the launch of South Africa’s National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic region.
The following team members will spend the next year on Marion Island supporting long-term monitoring programmes and ensuring the continuity of critical scientific observations:
- Yinhla Shihlomule
- Asive Tywana
- Marc Limbert
- Tara Naeser
- Shani Fourie
- Rhiannon Gill
To learn more about the M83 overwintering team and their roles, read our article, “SAPRI welcomes its third cohort of Marion Island overwinterers“.
(L to R): Shani, Yinhla, Asive, Marc, Rhiannon and Tara (photo: Kelebogile Mogotsi and Camila Smyth)
Take-over Team
The Take-over Team comprises personnel deployed to Marion Island to train and support the incoming overwintering team during the annual rotation of personnel, known as the Marion Island Relief or Take-over Expedition. The take-over, or relief, period typically lasts six weeks.
Supporting the relief voyage and handover operations are:
- Jessica Spannenberg
- Kwanele Khuzwayo
- Zafar Monier
- Megan Clarkson
(L to R): Megan, Zafar and Jescica (we are missing Kwanele) (photo: Kelebogile Mogotsi and Camila Smyth)
An Unprecedented Delay
The 2026 Relief Voyage was unlike previous years. Traditionally, the annual Marion Island voyage takes place between April and May to facilitate the rotation of overwintering personnel, deliver supplies, and support scientific research. This year, however, the voyage was delayed due to global fuel supply disruptions that affected the availability of Jet A-1 fuel required for helicopter operations and kerosene, a key component in the production of Polar Diesel used to power and sustain operations at the Marion Island research station.
Given the uncertainty surrounding fuel availability and the associated operational risks, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) took the executive decision to temporarily evacuate all personnel from Marion Island. The decision prioritised the safety of expedition members while ensuring that the logistical requirements necessary to safely operate the station could be restored before personnel returned to the island.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) advised that, once fuel supplies were secured, it would take a minimum of five days to restart the station’s critical infrastructure and return the base to a fully habitable and operational state before scientific activities could safely resume.
The entire Marion Island M83 overwintering team consisting of science and research station personnel (photo: Megan Clarkson)
Day 1 – Preparing for Departure
The expedition officially commenced with a pre-departure ceremony hosted by DFFE, attended by representatives from key stakeholder organisations, including the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Mr David Maynier, the DFFE Deputy Director-General Ms Nomfundo Tshabalala, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the South African Weather Service (SAWS), and participating research institutions.
Following the ceremony, the SAPRI team focused on loading scientific equipment and field supplies required for the first phase of operations. Priority was given to equipment needed for immediate deployment once conditions on the island are declared safe, enabling researchers to resume field activities from one of the island’s remote field huts as soon as access is authorised.
Loading of the S.A. Agulhas II in preparation for the voyage (photo: Kelebogile Mogotsi and Camila Smyth)
Day 2 – Boarding Begins
Boarding operations commenced on the morning of 4 August 2026, with all expedition participants boarding the vessel between 10:00 and 12:45 to complete immigration clearance procedures.
Cabin luggage was loaded onto the vessel, and participants were allocated their cabins in preparation for departure. The final operational milestone before sailing was the arrival of the support helicopters, scheduled to be secured on board by 14:00. Once these critical aviation assets had been safely loaded, the vessel was cleared for its official departure later that evening.
As the expedition sets sail, the SAPRI team looks forward to supporting critical long-term environmental observations and scientific research on Marion Island, contributing to South Africa’s commitment to understanding and protecting the Southern Ocean and its unique ecosystems.
The M83 overwintering tam aboard the S.A. Agulhas II (photo: Megan Clarkson)
A Personal Note from the author
On a personal note, I would like to pay tribute to Mr Yinhla Shihlomule as he embarks on another remarkable journey to Marion Island. This expedition marks his fifth overwintering stint, during which he returns as the Top Predator Monitoring Coordinator and a proud member of the M83 Overwintering Team.
Taking on an overwintering expedition is far more than accepting a work assignment, it is a commitment to safeguarding one of South Africa’s most important long-term environmental observation programmes. Yinhla’s leadership and experience will play a vital role in ensuring that critical monitoring activities continue smoothly and efficiently throughout the coming year.
Such a commitment requires exceptional resilience, dedication and courage. It also demands sacrifice, not only from the expedition member but from the family who supports them from thousands of kilometres away. Yinhla’s love and passion for Marion Island, together with the understanding and support of his family, have once again enabled him to answer the call of duty and disappear into the Southern Ocean for another year in the service of science.
On behalf of the SAPRI team, we extend our sincere appreciation to Yinhla and his family for this remarkable commitment. We also wish the entire M83 Overwintering Team and the Take-over Team fair seas, a safe voyage, and every success as they continue South Africa’s legacy of world-class polar and sub-Antarctic research.
The S.A. Agulhas II sets sail to the Southern Ocean from Cape Town (photo: Megan Clarkson)
Written by Abuyiselwa Nguna, Research Coordinator: Long-term Observations on Land (LTO-LAND), SAPRI
Rabia Mathakutha, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 5 August 2026
