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VISIT ALL THE LIGHTHOUSES & SHIPWRECKS ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN COASTLINE FROM ALEXANDER BAY ON THE WEST COAST TO KOSI BAY ON THE EAST COAST IN FOUR SEPARATE EXCITING 7-DAY ADVENTURES
FIRST ONE STARTING 27 MARCH – 31 MARCH 2010
Adventure No 1 – Alexander Bay to Cape Columbine
General
There has been talk around many campfires about visiting all the Lighthouses and visible Shipwrecks on the South African coastline. It is time to set all the idle chatter aside and put this into practice by starting the first of four exciting, adventurous, history and fun-filled trips visiting all the Lighthouses and visible Shipwrecks on the South African coastline. There has been a lot of research and information gathering done with regards to our planned, four, adventure Lighthouses and Shipwrecks trips, ensuring that a lot of information will be shared with everyone on each trip. As there are not that many visible shipwrecks on the South African coastline compared to the lighthouses, we will have numerous information sharing evenings on each trip. These information evenings will be in the form of big screen presentations about many shipping disasters around our coast as well as other major shipping disasters around the world. Much of this information was gathered first-hand by the people involved in the recovery or salvage of the vessels and not normally seen by the general public. This information, as well as various other referrals to relevant information pertaining to these Shipwrecks & Lighthouses tours, is highly appreciated and we are privileged and honoured to have people like you as friends and Cederbergers for many years.
We further request that participants on these adventure trips bring along as much information as they possibly can find with regards to the section of coastline we will be covering on each trip. It will ensure that on completion of the trip, everybody will return home filled with information with regards to each section of our South African coastline.
Lighthouses
Our first lighthouse we will encounter is in the West Coast town of Port Nolloth and was first built in 1909 as a cast iron column and rebuilt in 1979, a triangular aluminium structure with a triangular black and white day marking. The height of the focal plane of the lighthouse is 17 metres above sea level. The light revolves every 24 seconds in a clockwise direction, is 108117 candles strong and can be seen 19 nautical miles away. The lighthouse has a short-range fog signal, which is activated manually when fog is sighted. All information shared on the tour regarding lighthouses is based on the book, Lighthouses of South Africa, dated 2009, by Gerald Hoberman. A lot of information regarding the lighthouses we will be visiting on this trip is available on the Internet. An interesting website where loads of information can be found is www.lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com regarding most lighthouses we will be visiting. Please gather as much information as possible regarding lighthouses and come share it with your fellow Cederbergers on these adventure trips.
Shipwrecks
There are more than 2800 recorded sunken/grounded shipwrecks between the Kunene River on the West Coast of Namibia and the Kosi Bay on the East Coast. A lot of information regarding these wrecks will be shared with participant’s en-route. The most northern wreck recorded on the West Coast of South Africa is the Trident of 391 tons that ran aground on 25 November 1985 laden with tuna bait for the fishing industry. The wreck is not visible as she is lying in approximately 13 meters of water.
The first visible wreck we will encounter is that of the 80-meter Poseidon Cape. She was built at Bremerhaven in Germany in 1967 and ran aground on 27 July 1985 near Kleinzee with no lives lost. She was a diamond recovery ship of 1340 tons carrying diving equipment for a local diamond company.
With all the research and time that was spent gathering information for our first Lighthouses and Shipwrecks adventure trip, it was brought to my attention, just before we sent out this information, that the Poseidon Cape can no longer be seen and has disappeared forever. Research further shows that the second day of our first adventure, visiting Lighthouses and Shipwrecks, might be the day on which the most visible shipwrecks will be sighted in one day on our journey from Alexander Bay to Kosi Bay.
Remember to bring along all your personal information regarding shipwrecks to be shared with everyone. A further bonus is the power point presentation on a big screen that will be done by Pim Zandee with regards to major shipping disasters around our coast, as well as many other places in the world.
Acknowledgements
Basil Pitt –
Thank you Basil for all the information regarding the various websites and putting me in contact with Fedde van der Bosch regarding shipwrecks on the South African coast.
Pim Zandee –
Thank you for the most amazing book on South African Lighthouses by Gerald Hoberman. I can highly recommend this book if you are interested in lighthouses. A further word of thanks for the power point presentations that will be presented en-route, regarding shipping disasters and the numerous salvage operations of vessels around the world, as well as around the South African coastline.
Fedde van der Bosch –
Thank you for sharing your valuable information regarding vessels that ran ashore around the South African coastline with Cederberg 4x4. We realize that much time and effort went into the gathering of this information and we are grateful that it is shared with Cederberg 4x4
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All information supplied is given in good faith by Cederberg 4x4 and compiled from the latest information available at the time. The activities, as indicated, are subject to change without prior notice and at the sole discretion of Cederberg 4x4 or the guide.
Vehicles: Only vehicles with low range capabilities can be accommodated.
Trailers/Caravans: Off Road trailers/caravans can be accommodated on this excursion.
RENDEZVOUS
PLACE : Mc DOUGALL BAY CARAVAN PARK, approximately 2km south of Port Nolloth.
DATE : SATURDAY 27 MARCH 2010.
TIME : ARRIVE BY LATEST AT 12h00. Respect your fellow participants and be on time.
PS. You want to consider arriving the Friday at Mc Dougall Bay Caravan Park giving you an extra evening on the West Coast to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of this amazing bay. No prior booking will be required.
AGENDA
All participants are required to arrive at Mc Dougall Bay Caravan Park on or before 12h00 on Saturday 27 March 2010, allowing you time to set camp. At 14h00 we will depart for Port Nolloth where we will visit our first Lighthouse of the trip. Upon completion of the visit to the lighthouse, we have planned a tour of the restricted diamond mining area between Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay. This will be a bonus and can only be confirmed either upon booking (earliest) or latest when doing the lighthouse visit the Saturday.
The first evening of four seven day adventures around the South African coastline will be filled with information about the lighthouses, shipwrecks and major shipping disasters around our coastline and world wide. An early departure from Mc Dougall Bay is necessary to ensure a full day of wreck visits before spending the next evening near Koingnaas. From here we will have a leisurely meander, south via Hondeklip Bay, where two wrecks and two light houses (the old and the new in the process of being completed) will be found before we set camp at Island Point, where the wreck (or the remains) of the SS Namaqua can be seen.
Heading further south we will more than likely set camp at Strandfontein, just north of Doring Bay, where our next Lighthouse will be found. Visible shipwrecks have now become few and far between. After departing from Doring Bay we will head for Cape Columbine via Stompneuspunt Lighthouse. Cape Columbine will be the first lighthouse we will visit that is open to the general public. A historic visit, well worth the time set aside, where lots of information will be shared. A must visit on anyone’s short list when in the area. Cape Columbine will also be the final point where we complete our first historic Shipwreck and Lighthouses adventure trip by Cederberg 4x4. See you in Mc Dougall Bay.
FUEL STOPS EN-ROUTE
All vehicles are required to refuel at Port Nolloth before we depart south on our Shipwreck and Lighthouses adventure. Sufficient fuel stops will be made en-route eliminating the necessity to carry additional fuel, although many outside elements may have an influence on the route and distance we travel. An additional jerry can of fuel will give you peace of mind if you do not have a long-range fuel tank. Not a prerequisite.
CATERING
Everyone must be totally self-sufficient for all meals for the duration of the trip.
ACCOMMODATION
As this expedition is offered as a camping expedition, everyone must be equipped accordingly.
ABLUTION FACILITIES
Ablution facilities cannot be guaranteed at any of our campsites en-route. It would be a bonus should we visit places where ablution facilities are available.
GENERAL INFORMATION
· WATER - it is essential to carry sufficient water for personal use for at least three days.
· WATER – it is always advisable to carry your own drinking water.
· WOOD – Please ensure that each vehicle carry a minimum of 4 x bags of wood upon our departure from
· Port Nolloth. Wood can be replenished en-route.
· ICE – We suggest that you replenish ice wherever possible if you enjoy using ice in your drinks.
· GARBAGE – What we take in we bring out. Garbage disposal stops will be maid en-route.
· Electricity cannot be guaranteed at any of the campsites.
· A communal braai will be determined at each campsite.
· Remember braai grid, braai stand, and tongs, eating utensils, table, chairs, tent and poles.
· The days could be warm and the nights cold. Pack clothing accordingly.
· Advisable to wear comfortable closed shoes or boots.
· Advisable to have a broad rim hat and sun block on hand.
· Advisable to always have a sun umbrella or awning on hand as shade cannot be guaranteed.
· Remember to bring your cameras, video cameras and spare batteries.
· Please remember to have your bathing costumes on hand for the brave of heart.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
· All vehicles must be in sound mechanical condition.
· Recovery points fitted to the front and rear on your vehicle are prerequisite.
· Your own Kinetic/recovery strap will be advisable.
· Tyre pump and pressure gauge will be required to deflate/inflate tyres. Pack where accessible.
· All other recovery equipment will be supplied.
29 MHz RADIOS
Communication between participating vehicles on any 4x4 excursion is important for many reasons. It ensures the safety of drivers, passengers and vehicles while on a 4x4 trail, where drivers can communicate with one another as regards to their location and situation not to mention the interesting information that is shared with participants. The fun part is the many interesting stories that are shared among participants taking the boredom out of the long distances we need to travel to enjoy the great outdoors.
We suggest all 4x4 vehicles that don’t have a 29MHz two-way radio, hire one from us at a nominal fee of R200-00 for this excursion.
Should you be hiring a 29MHz radio, please ensure that the lighter socket in your 4x4 vehicle is working. If you intend running more than one item from the lighter socket, ensure that you have double adapter handy as well as spare fuses.
NB: If your vehicle is fitted with a 29MHz. radio, please make sure that channels 1, 14 and 23 are open and working for this excursion.
Should you wish to make a once off investment and purchase a 29MHz. radio, we have negotiated a special deal for all Cederberg 4x4 participants. For more information, contact Ingrid on 021 913 4632.
INCLUDED
· Camp fees at Mc Dougall Bay for Saturday 27 March 2010 and Tities Bay our last evening of the Shipwrecks and Lighthouses adventure.
· Guide and organizing fees.
EXCLUDED
· Any camp fees that we may encounter en-route.
· Any additional activities you may wish to partake in, not listed in this itinerary.
COST
R1650-00 per vehicle.
R200-00 radio hire, should your vehicle not be fitted with a 29 MHz radio.
BOOKING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS
Should you wish to join us on this expedition, please contact Ingrid immediately to obtain the booking form for this expedition and bank details for Cederberg 4x4.
· We can accommodate a maximum of 12 vehicles on this expedition.
· This Cederberg 4x4 adventure is subject to a minimum of six (6) vehicles.
· Upon booking you are required to pay a 50% deposit into the account of Cederberg 4x4 within TWO (2) DAYS after the booking form and bank details have been forwarded to you.
· The full outstanding amount is payable 14 days prior to the excursion.
· Should you be hiring a radio, the full cost of R200-00 is payable upon booking.
· Your booking will only be confirmed upon receipt of your proof of payment accompanied by the fully completed and signed booking form faxed to 021 913 2333.
PLEASE NOTE: NO PETS ARE ALLOWED.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
COENIE on 083 675 6194 or INGRID on 021 913 4632
FAX: 021 913 2333
E-MAIL: info@cederberg4x4.co.za
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