**THE DEDICATED 3Y0I POST IS STILL ACTIVE AS WE TRACK THE ATLANTIC TUNA BACK TO CAPE TOWN** 

MARCH 27 @ 13:30Z

On March 26, 2019, the vessel had been approaching a cyclonal storm wandering nearby Bouvet Island. The captain analyzed the latest weather reports indicating a chance to break through the storm – it hadn’t been that strong at that time. Unfortunately, the storm developed and intensified in a matter of an hour. Around 5-6 o’clock GMT, just 70 nautical miles off Bouvet island, the ship has been hit by a series of 11+ meters (36+ ft) tall waves + wind exceeding 83 knots/h (approx. 160 km/h). The fierce oceanic forces swept past the upper deck, taking one of the radars, including VSAT, VHF and HF marine antennas, off the mast and throwing them all overboard. The hit was so hard the vessel tilted as much as 45°. [FULL DETAILS HERE]

MARCH 27 @ 06:45Z

The MV Atlantic Tuna is making attempts to escape from a severe storm that is crossing an area surrounding Bouvet Island.

In a satellite phone conversation, Dom 3Z9DX explained the vessel’s captain decided to shift their course off the island to relocate the vessel into a safer area by following the wind’s direction to the East.

Further details unveiled by Dom regarding the bad storm’s outcome are not too good: they lost one of their radars and marine antennas. Neither of their /mm antenna survived the storm.

They need to wait out the storm to proceed with proper technical inspection and any further decision making: whether to continue with landing attempts at Bouvet or to go back to South Africa. 

The good news is that despite the bad conditions, the Team, the crew are safe and in good condition. [MORE HERE]

MARCH 27 @ 00:07Z

Position at 00:07Z — 53°16’34.3″S 6°24’33.5″E

Position of Bouvet — 54°25′0″S 3°22′0″E

BOUVET WEATHER FORECAST

3Z9DX TRACKER 

Due to a fierce storm in the vicinity, the Atlantic Tuna has changed tack to ride out the high wind & seas. We await word from the official Chief Pilot SP8S with the latest update. Image above showing the storm.

MARCH 26 @ 19:07Z

APPROACHING BOUVET… 

Position at 19:07z — 53°36’16″S 5°43’97″E

Position of Bouvet — 54°25′0″S 3°22′0″E

Distance to go — 80nm

Earlier today, at 15:16z, EA1EJ spoke to CT1DSV (one of the team on board Atlantic Tuna) and he mentioned that they hope to be anchored off Bouvet by mid-morning tomorrow (March 27) with a view to being on air 2 days later. Wave height has increased again.

BUT STORM COMING…

MARCH 26 @ 02:15Z

Dom E51DOM/MM was heard saying they were now only 189 nautical miles away from Bouvet. The seas were calmer. He also described the two step process once they arrive: landing and then getting up to the glacier, the latter he expected to be the more difficult. [tnx WA2VUY]

MARCH 25 @ 10:00Z

Position: 49°49’07.5″S 7°52’24.4″E

Approaching “Furious 50s“

If everything goes fine, they should get nearby Bouvet Island by the end of March 26 or on the morning of March 27. Then the ship will go into standby mode and the Team will download the latest weather reports to estimate the best time-frame for suitable conditions for a landing attempt. 

MARCH 24 @ 13:20Z

Current position: 47°27’54.8″S 8°39’34.4″E

https://earth.nullschool.net/

We have crossed 47 deg. South. We crash 8 meters tall waves for last two days and the seas are furious reports Dom 3Z9DX from MV Atlantic Tuna. Despite high seas we continue our voyage to Bouvet. Everybody’s fine and we can hardly wait to see very first sight of the island adds Dom.

MARCH 21, 2019

“Welcome to the Roaring Forties” 

The vessel hits 8-10 meters tall waves and the seas are wild and bumpy. It’s gonna be a rough ride towards Bouvet.

Typical example of rolling seas Atlantic Tuna is now encountering (Roaring Forties)

MARCH 19, 2019

The 3Y0I Bouvet Island Expedition has officially begun. The MV Atlantic Tuna, with the Team aboard, departed for Bouvet Island on March 19, 2019, at approx. 6:00 UTC.

If everything goes well, they should reach Bouvet in 7 days (around March 26). Landing on the island will be strictly dependent on weather conditions upon arrival.

DEDICATED DX-WORLD UPDATES – HERE

3Z9DX TRACKER – HERE

OFFICIAL 3Y0I WEBSITE – HERE

VOYAGE WEATHER – HERE

WEATHER FORECAST – HERE OR HERE

Dom 3Z9DX

Atlantic Tuna day before departure

E51DOM/MM

[Pictures above credit Boland Amateur Radio Club, Cape Town].

MARCH 14 – An important decision to our DXpedition plans has been taken today, which will reflect in extending the initial 3YØI plans. We decided to take more provisions than initially planned. So did we regarding the fuel. More than 90,000 diesel liters has been fueled up (approx. 1 liter = U$1 = $90.000 we paid from our private money). That’s all because if weather permits, we plan to stay up to 3-4 weeks at the island itself (excluding sailing and landing time), giving much more chances for ATNOs all over the world. We are loading every list gear to the vessel. We have already installed and launched our maritime station from Cape Town’s shipyard. We’ll be signing as E51DOM/mm on way to and from the island on HF bands. As these preparations are bringing to a close, we will announce our departure and estimated on-air dates very soon. [source]

https://bouvetoya.org/

MARCH 10, 2019 — Info below (initially published on November 24, 2018) has in essence not changed. Just a reminder to look for E51DOM/MM once the team get underway. Vessel finder here. Dedicated DX-World 3Y0I updates will occur here.

Credit: https://bouvetoya.org/

Credit: https://bouvetoya.org/

NOVEMBER 24, 2018 — With the the 3Y0I Bouvet Island team now assembled and carrying out final preparations for their upcoming DXpedition, look for them to sign E51DOM/MM once leaving Cape Town, South Africa. They will also provide a live tracking link to view their progress. QRX for more once the team depart.