SA Navy take command of DAFF vessels in Simon’s Town Article and photos by CPO D.D.Oosthuizen. PO B.L.M. Nkosi and LS B.D. Ntsangani Enquiries: 021 787 4697

Five more patrol and research vessels from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) found their home base in Simon’s Town harbour at the first joint commissioning ceremony held in Simon’s Town on 19 June 2012. The DAFF research and fishery vessel SAS Africana (formerly Africana) was commissioned exactly two months earlier with Capt Khwaedi Lotta Mabula as the Officer Commanding. An inter-ministerial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans on 30 March 2012 entailed the SA Navy performing the shipping management functions of the DAFF vessels (previously administrated by SMIT Amandla Marine). The management of these functions includes crewing/manning, technical management (maintenance and repair), provisioning, bunkering, operation and the accounting of all aspects relating to these functions.

A bird's eye view of the joint commissioning ceremony of the DAFF vessels

The ceremony opened with the sounding of the alert as the Flag Officer Fleet, R Adm P. Schoultz, arrived and took his post on the podium, followed by the four future Officers Commanding of the various DAFF vessels. In FOF’s opening speech he explained that the joint commissioning ceremony was the result of the proposal that was first raised in the mid-nineties. He made mention of the valuable progress that was made with SAS Africana doing her acoustic surveys and mid-water trawls off the West Coast. With words of encouragement to the Officers Commanding and crew he concluded by saying “It is therefore in South Africa’s national security interest to ensure the freedom of our seas, as well as to ensure the lawful exploitation of all live and mineral resources. Yours therefore will be a unique responsibility and also a unique opportunity for it is you who will be at the forefront of executing this responsibility. “

FOF, R Adm Schoultz, hands over the telescope to Lt Cdr L. Ntsibulanie	FOF, R Adm Schoultz, receiving the general salute at the joint commissioning parade of the DAFF vessels

The ceremony was concluded with the ceremonial handing over of the telescope as FOF charged each Officers Commanding individually with command of the respective vessels.

FLTR Lt Cdr Short, Cdr Verster, DFFP R Adm (JG) Mhlana, FOF R Adm Schoultz, Lt Cdr Starling, Lt Cdr Ntsibulani	The five DAFF research and patrol vessels alongside for the joint commissioning ceremony

The following Officers Commanding were appointed during the joint commissioning ceremony:

SAS Sarah Baartman (Patrol vessel) – Cdr J. Verster
SAS Ellen Khuzwayo (Research vessel) – Lt Cdr B.E. Short
SAS Ruth First (Patrol vessel) – Lt Cdr L. Ntsibulani
SAS Victoria Mxenge (Patrol vessel) – Lt Cdr L. Starling