SAS DRAKENSBERG and SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE on Passage to Spain. Article by S Lt S. Khasuli Photos by LS M. Venter and LS V.D. Maleka

On Friday 16 Mar, the Chief of the Navy and the Flag Officer Fleet waved and wished the SAS DRAKENSBERG (DKB) and SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE following seas and fair winds as both vessels slipped from Emden to Rota. The passage to South Africa has started and before you know it we will be in South Africa, stated S Lt Lakay after being away for 5 weeks.

The brow is off and now the boat is ready to leave...

A day after the Commissioning Ceremony of SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Mluleki George, accompanied by the Chief of the Navy and other delegates, paid a visit to the DKB. When addressing the Ships Company, the Chief of the Navy stated that the people of South Africa are proud of SAS DRAKENSBERG and highlighted some of her achievements. The Deputy Minister provided the Ships Company with an opportunity to raise their uncertainty about deployments and various members voiced their concerns. The Deputy Minister promised to look at those challenges. The visit was rounded off by a scrumptious stand easy at the wardroom and the ships company continued with the cargo loading and preparing the ship to be ready to sail.

OC SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE, Cdr R. Shortt ensuring that all instructions are complied with before getting underway.	The tugboats maneuvering S102 to line her up for leaving the habour.

The DKB, with SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE in company, are expected to arrive in Spain over the weekend for a short visit and thereafter they will start the passage to South Africa.

Bidding farewell to SAS Drakensberg.	SAS CHARLOTTE MAXEKE ready to leave Emden.

SAS Drakensberg in the North Atlantic.