The SAS Protea, one of three South African Navy vessels in East London this week to celebrate World Hydrography Day, treated invited guests and media to a trip out to sea.
The SAS Protea is the Navy’s hydrographic survey vessel and showcases the importance of hydrography, which is the science of mapping the ocean floor.
This is vital for ships entering the country’s harbours or sailing along our coastline so they can travel without the danger running aground.
During the four-hour sea trip, the Saturday Dispatch got a chance to tour the ship which can carry up to 110 people and is fitted with a hospital, library, canteen, laundry and sleeping quarters.
It holds seven lifeboats, each able to carry 20 people.
Commander Greyling van den Berg said hydrography was an important field of study as 80% of the world’s trade moved across the oceans and more than 90% of South Africa’s imports and exports were transported by sea.
The SAS Protea is one of two ships the Navy has brought to East London.
The other is the SAS Isandlwana, a Valour-class frigate, which is considered one of the most modern on the African continent.
They have been joined by the SAS Manthathisi, a Heroine-class submarine named after the female warrior chief of the Batlokwa tribe. Van den Berg said the SA Navy had been practising hydrography since 1922, and became a full member of the World Hydrographic Organisation in 1955.
“Although the SAS Protea is currently more than 40 years old, her systems were upgraded in 2010.”
All of the waters around South Africa have been surveyed since 1922, but about 40% remains to be surveyed with modern equipment.
“It is also important to constantly survey a busy shipping lane, because underwater currents can change the depth of water,” he said.
The ships, including the submarine, will be open to the public between 9am and 5pm today and tomorrow.
Navy vessels anchor at EL harbour
The SAS Protea is the Navy’s hydrographic survey vessel and showcases the importance of hydrography, which is the science of mapping the ocean floor.
This is vital for ships entering the country’s harbours or sailing along our coastline so they can travel without the danger running aground.
During the four-hour sea trip, the Saturday Dispatch got a chance to tour the ship which can carry up to 110 people and is fitted with a hospital, library, canteen, laundry and sleeping quarters.
It holds seven lifeboats, each able to carry 20 people.
Commander Greyling van den Berg said hydrography was an important field of study as 80% of the world’s trade moved across the oceans and more than 90% of South Africa’s imports and exports were transported by sea.
The SAS Protea is one of two ships the Navy has brought to East London.
The other is the SAS Isandlwana, a Valour-class frigate, which is considered one of the most modern on the African continent.
They have been joined by the SAS Manthathisi, a Heroine-class submarine named after the female warrior chief of the Batlokwa tribe. Van den Berg said the SA Navy had been practising hydrography since 1922, and became a full member of the World Hydrographic Organisation in 1955.
“Although the SAS Protea is currently more than 40 years old, her systems were upgraded in 2010.”
All of the waters around South Africa have been surveyed since 1922, but about 40% remains to be surveyed with modern equipment.
“It is also important to constantly survey a busy shipping lane, because underwater currents can change the depth of water,” he said.
The ships, including the submarine, will be open to the public between 9am and 5pm today and tomorrow.
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