Wilfred and Susan on an adventure of a lifetime

Wilfred and Susan on an adventure of a lifetime

Gansbaai Courant

Wilfred Chivell, Founder of Dyer Island Conservation Trust  (DICT) and Susan Visagie, Operational and Financial Director: DICT, recently travelled to the spectacular islands of the South Atlantics for an adventure of a lifetime in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

During the last Marine Dynamics/Dyer Island Conservation Trust Marine Evening for 2016, Wilfred shared some of the images and moments of this very special trip.

The Great White House was packed and everyone was keen to hear more about South Georgia and the Falkland Islands which form part of a marine protected area near South America and the Antarctic’s. The trip was undertaken on board Sea Spirit guided by Doug and Dale from Cheesemans Ecology Safaris, experts in their field with over 35 years’ experience.

While Wilfred admits he is not one for visiting graves, he was very interested to see that of explorer, Sir Ernest Shackelton. 

Shackleton led three expeditions to the Antarctic. It was on his third that his ship, Endurance, was trapped in pack ice and subsequently crushed. The crew used the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and the inhabited island of South Georgia. This distance of 720 nautical miles was covered during a terrible storm and is almost unbelievable to Wilfred that he made it.

Wilfred saw first-hand how strong the wind and sea could be while out on the boat Sea Spirit, thus his admiration for Shackleton is now even stronger.

In 1921, Shackleton returned to  the  Antarctic   but died of a heart attack while his ship was moored in  South Georgia. At his wife's request he was buried there.

Something that struck Wilfred was that the area was pristine with no plastic or pollution in sight, a true place of wilderness. With majestic landscapes and flourishing marine wildlife, he finally spotted some Southern right whale dolphins. Wilfred has travelled to many places to view one of the species he loves most, the penguin. In this expedition, including sightings in Chile, he was able to see six penguin species - the Chins-trap, King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Macaroni and Humpboldt.

Wilfred shared some of his pictures, but with some 12 000 to go through he called upon visiting marine guide Judith Scott, herself having been on such an expedition, to incorporate  some of her photos too. All in all it made for an interesting evening.

Should you wish to be on the marine evening mailing list, please send your details to

marketing@sharkwatch sa.com

Wilfred and Susan on an adventure of a lifetime

Gansbaai Courant

Gansbaai Courant provides the Gansbaai community with the latest in news and interesting stories about and around the area.

View Profile

What is Xplorio?

Xplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.

Watch the Gansbaai Video
Read More

Recent Posts

R43 Padgebruikers Kla: Padmakers Moet Spoed Verminder

R43 Padgebruikers Kla: Padmakers Moet Spoed V...

Gansbaai Courant het heelwat klagtes van padgebruikers ontvang dat die R43-pad tussen Stanford en Gansbaai onveilig is.

Gansbaai Courant
Vanuit My Stoel: Julie 2024

Vanuit My Stoel: Julie 2024

Gansbaai Courant redakteur - Marinda van der Walt se Julie 2024 komentaar oor stories en hul kante - jou kant, my kant en die waarheid.

Gansbaai Courant
Sirkels: Anton Goosen se Nuwe Album en Vertonings

Sirkels: Anton Goosen se Nuwe Album en Verton...

Anton Goosen se nuwe album, Sirkels, maak draaie om die liefde en die lewe,maar handel ook oor sirkels van tyd, op die water, om paaldanse, arende, en die stryd tussen goed en kwaad, vrede en oorlog, sinvolheid en hoop.

Gansbaai Courant
Kultuurghoeroe's Deurvleg Met Kroonstad Se Kaalvoetkinders

Kultuurghoeroe's Deurvleg Met Kroonstad Se Ka...

Alles het so gelyk gebeur - Media24 se aankondiging dat van hul koerante nie meer in druk beskikbaar gaan wees nie, Anton Goosen se nuutste musiekalbum wat vrygestel is en die afsterwe van baanbreker-redakteur, Schalk Pienaar se dogter, Annatjie Louw...

Gansbaai Courant
Amanda Skuiw Na 'n Nuwe Era

Amanda Skuiw Na 'n Nuwe Era

Sedert 1950 is Seaviewrylaan 177 deel van die De Vries-familie en hul geskiedenis, maar dis nou tyd vir Amanda om aan te skuif.

Gansbaai Courant
Dorp Raak Al Vroliker

Dorp Raak Al Vroliker

Muurskilderye en bewerkte tuine maak Gansbaai vroliker. Oorspronklike berig in Gansbaai Courant Julie 2024.

Gansbaai Courant