Schalkwyk launches the Ellen Khuzwayo Research Vessel in Cape Town
20 September 2007
The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
today had the pleasure of launching South Africa's new dedicated research
vessel, the Ellen Khuzwayo. This new vessel will be the flagship of the
research vessels that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
operate. The two other research vessels are the Africana and Algoa.
The Minister announced that "The Ellen", as she is already affectionately
known, is replacing the Sardinops after 50 years of loyal duty. The Ellen is
named after the late Doctor Ellen Khuzwayo, teacher, social worker, author and
prominent figure in the struggle against apartheid. We are pleased to honour
Doctor Ellen Khuzwayo in our ongoing commitment to commemorate the significant
role of women in our country's history through the naming of our ships.
This replacement forms part of the department's strategy to upgrade the
research fleet to provide us with the best possible scientific advice relating
to our ocean environment and our marine resources.
The Ellen is a purpose built research ship designed to operate anywhere
within the South African Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), up to 200 nautical
miles offshore. The ship has a steaming range of 2 500 nautical miles and can
remain at sea for 18 to 20 days. She carries a crew of 13 and has accommodation
for eight scientists. The systems on board allow the ship to operate anywhere
in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The Ellen Khuzwayo will be deployed primarily on inshore research, which
includes scientific research on marine living resources such as rock lobster,
line fish, large pelagic fishes, seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks. She will
also be engaged in diving operations and monitoring and research of
oceanographic conditions in our surrounding marine environment. To support
these operations, she is equipped with two fully-fitted laboratories one for
fish sampling and another for oceanographic studies. She is further equipped
with advanced acoustic equipment for fish surveys, state-of-the-art
oceanographic equipment, and winches for deploying and retrieving the equipment
and instruments. These features, together with her excellent manoeuvrability
and advanced stability, make her truly a world class ocean research
platform.
The Minister added that "with our combined fleet of four compliance and
three fisheries research ships, South Africa has the most significant marine
presence within the region, and on the African continent. The Ellen Khuzwayo
represents our continued commitment to making a strong contribution to marine
research and compliance in the region."
The Ellen was specifically designed to operate in our regional waters,
including the warmer tropics. She can freely range the 200 nautical mile zone
and can have extended stays at sea for over two weeks.
The Minister further said "with the global community increasingly realising
the challenges of climate change, we will now be more prepared to monitor these
changes in the oceans closer to our own shores, and to predict and reduce the
impacts on our society."
The building of the three protection vessels and now the Ellen in Cape Town
has made a significant contribution to the development of the local ship
building industry. And even before she has sailed, the Ellen has broken
records, in particular that of being one of the heaviest loads ever transported
by road / rail in South Africa as she made her way from far ocean to the
Syncro-lift on 23 May 2007.
Enquiries:
Mava Scott
Cell: 082 411 9821
Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
20 September 2007
