South Africa’s arctic heroes and the 89 people they rescued from an icebound ship in mid-winter Antarctica were due back home aboard the research vessel Agulhas early on Wednesday.
But team that became the centre of a dramatic arctic rescue mission during some three weeks at sea will have to wait a little longer before they return to life ashore after a journey of more than 3 000 kilometres.
”The Agulhas is at about 120 nautical miles off Cape Town. We are expecting her to dock at around nine tomorrow morning,” said Gerald Hagemann of the Cape-based Arctic Logistics Centre International said on Wednesday.
Its crew and passengers were due to discuss their experience that sparked wide international interest at a press briefing on Quay 500 alongside the vessel about an hour after docking, he said.
”And the weather is so bad in Cape Town with really unpleasant gale force winds,” Hagemann remarked in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur ahead of their arrival.
Weather conditions at the tip of southern Africa were most likely to be a relief to those aboard the Agulhas. who have had to endure sub-zero temperatures, icy blizzards and a temporary shortage of coffee, cigarettes and sugar.
Hundreds of people who have keenly followed their progress and friends and family of the South Africa crew were expected to wait alongside the quay for a glimpse of South Africa’s arctic heroes.
The vessel set sail from the harbour city of Cape Town to embark on a what became a daring mission to rescue 107 people trapped on a German ship in Antarctica amid harsh and dangerous arctic conditions.
The South African team was called in render assistance to the Magdalena Oldendorff when it became trapped in a fiord on the edge of the icy continent on June 11.
The 21 000 ton Oldendorff carrying 79 Russian explores and international crew sought refuge in Muskegbukta Bay after it encountered an impenetrable barrier of ice while on its return journey to Cape Town.
The Agulhas was unable to clear a path in the pack ice to allow those stranded on the privately owned German arctic vessel to hop onboard.
Over several days rescuers used two military helicopters to pluck 89 people to safety and delivered much needed supplies to those who remained onboard the stricken vessel.
Agulhas captain Kevin Tate and his team were lauded as courageous and an inspiration when the mission amid strong swells and unbearable temperatures proved successful.
”This mission follows in the footsteps of many great South Africans who had placed the welfare of others above their own needs.
Your selflessness serves as an inspiration to all South Africans – – you did South Africa proud,” South African President Mbeki said.
But Tate, reacting to the acclaim his mission brought in an interview via email with DPA this week, said: ”No, we were just doing our job. The president flatters us.”
”This was a classic example of teamwork winning the day,” the Cape Town born civilian seaman whose hobbies include competitive yachting, said of the mission.
The 12 crew that remained behind onboard the Oldendorff were comfortable, Hagemann said Tuesday.
They will await the arrival by the end of this week of an Argentinian icebreaker, Almirante Irizar, that will clear a path in the ice that will enable the Oldendorff to sail through.
”It (the Oldendorff) should be able to sail back on its own. When it returns to Cape Town it will be checked for damage,” said Hagemann. – Sapa-DPA