Thousands of people visited the SA Agulhas II to go on a guided tour of the research vessel during its recent open day in Gqeberha.
The event, hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEFF), drew more than 3000 people who had the unique opportunity to tour the renowned research vessel.
A DEFF expo also showcased the vital work being done in marine research, conservation and environmental stewardship.
The Agulhas arrived at the Port of Port Elizabeth last week and learners from 40 schools in the metro had the chance to board the vessel for the tour.
"We are thrilled with the overwhelming response by the residents of Gqeberha to the Agulhas open day in Gqeberha," DEFF minister Barbara Creecy said.
"This event provided a fantastic platform for the public to learn about the important research conducted aboard the Agulhas and the critical role it plays as a supply vessel to the three research bases in Antarctica, Marion, and Gough Islands in the Southern Ocean."
The Agulhas is South Africa's state-of-the-art polar research and supply vessel that services three research bases in Antarctica, Marion and Gough Islands. It plays a crucial role in supporting the country's research in Antarctica, the Subantarctic Islands and the Southern Ocean.
The Agulhas has just completed a relief voyage to Marion Island and is heading back to its home port in Cape Town.
The expo, which is usually hosted in Cape Town, gives thousands of people in different coastal cities an opportunity to learn about the Agulhas as a mobile research laboratory and supply vessel. Ports previously visited include Port Elizabeth (2015), Durban (2018), Dar es Salaam (2018), Comoros and East London (2019).
