By J. Brock (SARTMA)

Various news agencies world-wide report that storms affecting the Western Cape that stretch as far as Marion Island are preventing the South African supply ship, SA AGULHAS, from joining in the pursuit of the Uruguayan toothfish poaching ship, VIARSA1

SOUTHERN SUPPORTER, an Australian Fisheries Patrol Vessel, has been chasing the VIARSA1 for more than 12 days. Over the weekend, Australian Authorities asked South Africa for help as VIARSA1 was travelling in a westerly direction through loose pack ice and SOUTHERN SUPPORTER isn’t ice strengthened.

A decision to join in the chase is weather-dependent. One consequence of the storms and rough seas around Marion Island means that the AGULHAS’s helicopter cannot be off-liaded. This must be done before the chase can continue. It was hoped that the ship’s helicopter would be helpful in landing officials on VIARSA1, in an attempt to investigate the ships involvement in poaching Patagonian Toothfish.

It is not completely known yet what kind of satellite equipment VIARSA1 has aboard, though it has been reported that the vessel may have falsified satellite data in order to cover up its poaching activities. Licensed vessels must report their positions to their respective flagged countries for on forwarding to CCAMLR.

Any lack of this equipment would also make navigation difficult, especially in rough, ice strewn seas.  However, unlike previous reports, Viarsa has not been trapped by the ice.  This situation could change if weather and/or sea conditions change.