Southern Supporter and Viarsa Pass Gough Island

By J. Brock (SARTMA)

The SOUTHERN SUPPORTER and VIARSA continue on their way to Cape Town but they will not stop in the South African Port. Instead, the two ships will be re-supplied by the South African Naval ship, DRAKENSBERG. All three ships will rendezvous at sea to re-supply.

Aboard the DRAKENSBERG is a contingent from the Australian Naval personnel that arrived in Cape Town on 02 September. When the ships re-supply, that naval contingent will take responsibility for VIARSA on its voyage back to Australia.

Both the SOUTHERN SUPPORTER and VIARSA have been received some supplies via helicopter from SA AGULHAS. The SA AGULHAS is now returning to Marion Island. On 31 August, the SOUTHERN SUPPORTER passed Gough Island, the first land that ship had seen since leaving port on 22 July.

Morale on both vessels is reported to be high. SOUTHERN SUPPORTER and VIARSA are expected to arrive in Fremantle in late September.