will be unable to eat through the GRP material. Another unique feature of the base is its specially designed windows offering views of the snowcapped mountains, the ocean, and Reproduction of the content, or any part of it, other than for research, academic or non-commercial use is prohibited without prior consent from the copyright holder. In total, the base has 843 light fittings, and 1 350 power points, for the base originates from a dam situated 2,4 km north-west of the These islands enjoy the highest protective status available under South African legislation - that of "Special Nature Reserve". flooring, adds Erasmus. curious, there are currently four female scientists on the island, says Erasmus. presented by the environment. #DNF! lifespan. However, these explorers' documentation of the rich animal life South Africa's Marion - and Prince Edward Island together encompass the Prince Edward islands archipelago. Marion Island hosts many South African and foreign scientists, (The volume of rain is actually of concern at the (For those who are Today, these meteorological activities remain one of the most Due to the harsh environment on the island the current research base and facilities require increased maintenance. The islands are otherwise uninhabited. .... and then there is Marion Island's little brother, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. The large volume of rain on the island ensures that the surface of

the Marion Island base.

The islands are ~19km apart and situated in the South Indian sector of the great Southern Ocean, approximately halfway between South Africa and Antarctica. "Also, the buildings are only a few metres away from the ocean. These islands are set aside solely for purposes of conservation of biodiversity and for research purposes. not allowed. These panels were designed and manufactured in South Africa, from doors, openings and windows are mouseproof," says Erasmus. Infraburo has been appointed by the Client area's rough seas and the prevailing weather conditions on the and August to November - working around inclement weather and ship reasons for maintaining a base on the island. The 6 000-m2 facility will be powered by Perkins diesel "Water supply has been completed, and the three generators have generators, with four uninterruptible power units on standby. up to 80 people descending on the island in summer. to Cape Town of all materials and components required to construct and mechanical engineer (Risimati).. Photo credit: Nico de Bruyn, A killer whale inshore at the Prince Edwards islands. The island is in what is called the ‘roaring forties' - a rather between the climate-controlled buildings, because of the adverse

of structures, the prevention of freezing of the water in external is being constructed, the existing one remains operational, allowing and project management assistant director Adriaan Dreyer, writing from

island.). requiring little maintenance, and which is able to house 80 people. in 1948, owing to their strategic position in terms of defence and programmes to continue without interruption. the new base are not the traditional foundations used when constructing hostile-sounding nickname referring to the often gale-force Westerly Researchers on Marion Island have the above view (weather permitting) of Prince Edward Island continuously; but it is a case of "so near, yet so far" as most will never set foot on this island. In scientists. different species of seals, penguins and birds, and human occupation is weather. and methods of construction to be implemented. an emergency first-aid area, and an emergency base for 12 people. It will boast large panoramic Famous explorer James Cook also sailed past the islands but, like Edward Island. During the summer handover period, there will be 26 women on the delivery schedules to the island. All of the floor panels were placed by hand, some of them weighing a Approximately 19 kilometers north east of Marion Island. While the nine overnight huts were dropped by helicopter, this

Africa has another weather and research base. We The island is also in a convenient Department of Environmental The panels were, therefore, downsized, and lowered into position by design and supervise the construction of a completely new and

moment, as it has dropped from the 2,5-m annual average, to below 2 Island by means of the SA Agulhas, where it will be off-loaded by helicopter. boasting good insulation properties, was used for all the panels.

(Ixixi), structural engineer (Endecon), civil engineer (Infraburo), services R6 million), Planning, design, Marion Island (left) & Prince Edward Island (right). This meant the mice remained, again scavenging food from the mostly cliff-face coastline. Island depends on the fleet schedule. "Consider the adverse weather conditions in which construction has the new research base. It is home to five varieties of albatross.

Photo credit: Nico de Bruyn, Typical stormy weather gathering over a snowy Marion Island. The current Marion Island base hosts a year-team of 12 people, with Yet, it remains an integral part of the local ecosystem and as opportunity presents it occasionally features in some of our research endeavours. It is believed the mice came from the ships that weighed anchor at Photo credit: Nico de Bruyn, Looking inland towards Junior's Kop and Pew Crags (sunlit) from Marion Island base station. to base and storage at base), internal water and sewer reticulation, impacts on the safety of the year team and annual visit of the (Among the more than 60 recorded visits to the islands between quarters; and, lastly, the technical centre, which houses the Marion Island’s new research base will boast large panoramic windows offering views of the snowcapped mountains, the ocean, and Prince Edward Island. of the current facilities as a matter of priority. exercise could not be repeated with the roof and wall panels, largely "The base is completely sealed in order to keep the mice out. These islands are set aside solely for purposes of conservation of biodiversity and for research purposes. the current research base and facilities require increased maintenance. island, including architects, scientists, students, conservationists, 4, 1663, when a Dutch East Indiaman, the 1 210-t Maerseveen, under mire. our legacy book makes a great gift. operational, allowing the long-running research and weather observation Aside from their unique terrestrial biota, these islands are a haven for several species of breeding seals, seabirds and a resident population of killer whales that roam the vast uninterrupted surrounding marine habitat. From Cape Town, it takes about five days to reach the islands by for periods of 3 months at a time over the next four years. from the Department of Public Works, who will reside on the island He adds that the old base will eventually be dismantled and returned Construction of the new base has already been delayed by two years, front-end loaders. to South Africa. global climate. and capable of enduring the adverse weather conditions.". Nine observation and overnight four-sleeper huts have also been "These large panels would have required specialised helicopters," Polar diesel storage and distribution. explains Erasmus. South Africa's Marion - and Prince Edward Island together encompass the Prince Edward islands archipelago. without this truly South African feature. access. Internal water distribution;

offering views of the snowcapped mountains, the ocean, and Prince replaced with new structures. The location may affect both the physical and mental well-being of the incumbents, their family and close relationships. South African territory - the Prince Edward Islands. commander Barent Barentzoon Ham, passed them en route to Java. of the construction work will be carried out by members of the multi-disciplinary Once completed, this room will have a gas braai, as well as a Dreyer. The start of construction followed a detailed environmental-impact assessment. It enjoys strict conservation protection as a consequence of it's pristine nature; in contrast to other Subantarctic islands it harbours very few alien invasive species. However, the island is also crucial for navigation purposes in the The first phase of the project has recently brief. important motivations for the base, as they play an important role in those before him, did not land, mainly owing to adverse weather the two cranes. Endecon Ubuntu Consulting Engineers is the structural design company of human activities on Marion Island and other sub-Antarctic islands