Department of Environmental Affairs to send SA Agulhas I to repatriate corpse of Gough53 team member
The Department of Environmental Affairs will be sending the SA Agulhas I, today to repatriate the corpse of Mr Johannes Adriaan Hoffman from Gough Island. Mr Hoffman passed away on 11 February 2014. He was a member of the Gough53 expedition team and worked as an Electronic Technician in the development and maintenance of the electronic and communication systems.
The SA Agulhas I, which is currently operated by South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) for training cadets, will take approximately eight days to sail. The department has requested a counsellor from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to meet with the team members left on the Island and assist with counselling sessions with an intention to continue telephonically with consultation processes.
The department would once again like to express its condolences to the Hoffman family, friends, and colleagues for their loss.
For media enquiries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
