Research Expeditions
Sailing out into the vast expanse of the ocean, deploying equipment, taking measurements, and feeling the waves holds both excitment and responsibility. It is a priviledge to contribute to the growing expanse of knowledge and data essential to understanding the ocean’s role in climate variability and change.
In my personal journey, I have been fortunate to experience going to sea numerous times on research vessels, mainly to the Southern Ocean and waters around Antarctica. I have beein within fearsome storms, heard the crushing sounds of the ship on frigid sea ice, witnesses the breathtaking wildlife, and been part of many other unique experiences. Below is a summary of these experiences and my role in the much larger field of sea-going science.
Ariel view of the R/V S.A. Agulhas II along the Punguin Akta ice shelf taken during the SO-CHIC Expedition in 2022.
Southern Ocean Carbon and Heat Impact on Climate research cruise (2022)
Penguin Bukta, Antarctica, Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean
1 month – deploy autonomous underwater & surface vehicles, hydrographic survey, R/V S.A. Agulhas II
Our objective on the SO-CHIC expedition was to deploy two Seagliders, a Sailbuoy, and collect hundreds of water samples for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pCO2, and methane. My role was to lead the team of three from the University of Gothenburg, with Hanna Rosenthal and Theo Spira joining on their first expedition to the south.
Deploying one of the 59 CTD casts.
Deploying Seaglider SG675 in the figid waters of the Southern Ocean.
Testing comms and simulated dives for SG675 after a long journey to Antartica.
Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition Maritime University (2016)
Bremerhaven, Germany to Cape Town, South Africa
4 weeks - coordinating and teaching physical oceanography to 50 students from 12 counties
I co-coordinated and taught on a month long ‘floating university’ from Germany to South Africa via the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, aboard the Russian Polar Research Vessel Akademik Treshnikov. On this 28 day voyage, we developed an academic program with lectures and practical assignments from the scientists onboard. I taught physical oceangraphy every other day, with the theme of the lecture relevant to our location on the voyage. In total, there were 49 students and 16 scientists from 20 different nationalities.
Sunset at the crossing of the Equator. © Victorine Sentilhes.
The mess-turned-classroom gave us a space to learn and share our knowledge about the basics of physical oceanography. What a better place to share these memories.
Arriving in Cape Town on 17 December 2016. © Victorine Sentilhes.
South African National Antarctic Program Winter Cruise – University of Cape Town (2015)
Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean
5 weeks – deploy autonomous underwater vehicles, hydrographic survey, R/V S.A. Agulhas II
The winter cruise to the Antarctic sea ice edge marked the start of my PhD journey. The deployment of Seagliders on this voyage (pictured below), led by Andre and Hendrik at Sea Technology Services, was an important one for me as these datasets were the first and integral part of my PhD work. During this expedition, I also carefully learned about the pressure of deploying these expensive instruments at sea, and that things don’t always go to plan.
Sailing through a storm. En route to the Antarctic sea ice edge.
Hendrik and Andre doing some pre-deployment tests on the Seagliders and Wave Glider.
Wave Glider deployed.
Southern Ocean Seasaonal Cycle Experiment – Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory (2013)
Cape Town to South Atlantic Ocean
5 weeks – hydrographic survey, R/V S.A. Agulhas I. PI: Dr. Sandy Thomalla
Lead the underway CTD survey
Coldest Journey Expedition to Antarctica, R/V S.A. Agulhas I (2013)
Cape Town to Weddell Sea, Antarctica
6 weeks – underway CTD survey along Goodhope Line, R/V S.A. Agulhas I
My participation on this voyage was rather opportunistic. I was asked to lead the merdional survery of underway CTD profiles along the AX25 line (Goodhope Line). The prupose of the expedition was to ferry polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his team to Antarctica, where they would embark on a cross-continent expedition “The Coldest Journey” over the ensuing winter.
South African National Antarctic Program Winter Cruise (2012)
Cape Town to Marion Island and Weddell Sea, Antarctica
5 weeks – underway CTD survey along Goodhope Line, R/V S.A. Agulhas II
Maiden voyage of the South African icebreaker R/V S.A. Agulhas II to the Southern Ocean and Marion Islands. My role on the cruise was to operate the underway CTD, collecting upper ocean measurements of temperature and salinity along the Goodhope Line from South Africa to Antarctica.
Waves in the ice, Weddell Sea, August 2012. Music: Jeremy Loops.
On underway CTD watch. Myself, Jen, and Mokete waiting patiently for the another CTD profile to arrive.
The wildlife in the pristine Antarctic environemnt is some of the most beautiful I have come across.
Our 2012 UCT Honours class with Prof. Isabelle Ansorge.
Autonomous Ocean Gliders and USV Campaigns
In my career, I have been involved in numerous major projects where I have deployed and/or piloted autonomous ocean gliders and uncrewed surface vehicles. Mostly, these have been within the Southern Ocean - from the subtropical region to the Antarctic ice zone.
WHIRLS Robotic Deployments Sep-2025 – ongoing
Seaglider and Wave Glider deployments in the Cape Basin
Agulhas Current on Coast Environemnt (ACEP) Project May-2024 – Jun-2024
Sailbuoy deployments in Algoa Bay, South Africa
QUICCHE Mar-2023 – May-2023
Seaglider and Sailbuoy deployments in the Cape Basin
Southern Ocean Carbon Heat Impact on Climate (SO-CHIC) Jan-2022 – Jul-2022
Seaglider and Sailbuoy deployments in the subpolar Atlantic and Maud Rise
SCALE Spring Oct-2019 – Feb-2020
Seaglider deployment in the Weddell Sea
SCALE Winter Jul-2019 – Dec-2019
Seaglider and Sailbuoy deployment in the Weddell Sea
ROAM-MIZ Dec-2018 – Mar-2019
Seaglider and Sailbuoy deployment in the Weddell Sea
ORCHESTRA Nov-2017 – Jan-2018
Seaglider deployment along the Southern Boundary of the Drake Passage