Walk: 5km
MEPS Visit day.
Had to scoff some breakfast down at 6:30am to be at the Congress Centre for the bus that was leaving at 7:30am for Naval Base Simon's Town (NBS) for the capability visit. We were able to board two vessels, the SAS Amatola, a Frigate, and SAS King Sekhukhune, a Multi-mission in-shore patrol vessel (MMIP).
The Amatola is an older vessel, but still very functional and bigger than the MMIP that was built in Cape Town and delivered in 2022. It was built as a prototype to test and find faults; they certainly found a few. The other MMIP is in dry dock undergoing repairs. We were not allowed to take photos on the MMIP but were given permission to photograph the Amatola.
After three hours it was back on the bus to 2 Mil Hosp for lunch and a couple of presentations. We were dropped back at the Congress Centre about 4pm to freshen up for the MEPS Dinner, that was a black-tie event. This little detail was only given to us after I had arrived in country, so I wore black trousers, a lacy red top and black jacket. The dinner venue was the Castle of Good Hope, that just happens to belong to the SANDF. Dinner went for a long time with snacks/nibbles, starter, main course and dessert. The SANDF have really done a great job on the MEPS activities this year.
We were back at the hotel about 9:30am and sadly, had to say goodbye to Jane and Ann, as the rest of the crew are laving early tomorrow morning for the airport to catch the plane to Victoria Falls. In my room, I did some more sorting and pre-packing in preparation for the departure.
Itinerary
SAS Amatola, frigate class
Sick bay
The Bridge
20mm gun on bridge wings, one on either side
Captain's chairs
SAS Drakensberg, supply ship
SAS Spioenkop, a frigate class
Ward Room/Officers Mess
Forward deck with SAM silo tubes
Enclosed Forcastle, or Fo'c's'le, where the anchor and ropes for tying up along side are kept. Anchor chain is 250m long, each shackle is 25m long. If the anchor chain is vibrating, the anchor is being dragged and this is not good!
The anchor
South African Naval Ensign
Lunch
Castle of Good Hope
Cushion cover
Lucas, Angie, Eiko, Benjamin, ?, Barbara, Jerry, Scott
Gordon and Hiroshi
Astrid, Claudia, Arne, Silke, Jens
John, Peter, Ulf, Precious' dad
Paul, Maureen, Luc, Ann
Dinner table
Sylvain
Menu
Precious
SAMHS Surgeon-General and Sylvain
Thabo and Sylvain
Sylvain and Precious
