AB Marine Whale & Dolphin watching

19/11/2024

1870: Benefactress, this American sailing barque struck a rock of Cape Agulhas and managed to sail into False Bay where it was beached, and subsequently wrecked at the Lourens River mouth at Strand in the Western Cape. 1874: Lyttelton, this sailing barque wrecked in a south-easterly gale on North End Beach in Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape....

1870: Benefactress, this American sailing barque struck a rock of Cape Agulhas and managed to sail into False Bay where it was beached, and subsequently wrecked at the Lourens River mouth at Strand…

18/11/2024

1874: Midge, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. The resulting investigation found the anchor chain being badly corroded and the captain guilty of neglect. 1880: Emma, this sailing brig wrecked during a south-westerly gale at Eastern Beach in East London in the Eastern Cape. 1936: Kildalkey, this steam-powered tanker wrecked on Seven Blinders in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape....

1874: Midge, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in a south-easterly gale in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape. The resulting investigation found the anchor chain being badly corroded and the ca…

17/11/2024

1821: Flora, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in the shallows in the early hours of the morning on the southern point of Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. The survivors were isolated on Robben Island as there had been a cholera epidemic in Batavia. After a few days in isolation, they were brought to Cape Town on board the Perseverance....

1821: Flora, this wooden sailing schooner wrecked in the shallows in the early hours of the morning on the southern point of Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. The survivors were isola…

16/11/2024

1906: Star of Peace, this steel steam-powered fishing trawler wrecked in dark and hazy weather at Jessie se Baai, near Quoin Point in the Western Cape. It struck a submerged rock and immediately foundered, with the crew safely getting to Gansbaai in the lifeboat. 1982: Meisho Maru No 38, this motor-powered fishing trawler wrecked about 1km north-west of the Southern Tip of Africa, at L’Agulhas/Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape. It is still visible from the shore today, although it is breaking up rapidly. It has been the subject of many photographs since its wrecking.

1906: Star of Peace, this steel steam-powered fishing trawler wrecked in dark and hazy weather at Jessie se Baai, near Quoin Point in the Western Cape. It struck a submerged rock and immediately fo…

15/11/2024

1969: Tracyjon, this motor-powered fishing trawler foundered at sea, about 160 km north of Cape Town, somewhere along the West Coast, in the Western Cape with all eight that were on board being lost. 1996: Cordigliera, this motor-powered cargo vessel foundered, with the loss of life of all 29 that were on board, near Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape....

15/11/2024

1845: Charles, this wooden sailing schooner struck a blinder just off Bird Island in Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape and wrecked. 1967: Ibishu, this motor-powered crayfishing vessel foundered in rough seas about 50km east of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.

14/11/2024

1856: Sea Eagle, this sailing barque missed it stays in a south-easterly gale between Robben Island and Blouberg and wrecked in Murray’s Bay on Robben Island in Table Bay in the Western Cape. 1857: Puntado, this vessel wrecked on the west bank of the Buffalo River in East London in the Eastern Cape. Very little is known about it. 1887:...

09/10/2024

The Energy Endurance was a Liberian motor tanker that was on route from Ras Tanura for Europe carrying a cargo of crude oil. On the 9th April 1981 she sustained extensive hull damage in a gale/storm off Transkei; She was taken to Algoa bay & thence to Cape Town. From Cape Town she was subsequently taken to Kaohsiung & broken up....

The Energy Endurance was a Liberian motor tanker that was on route from Ras Tanura for Europe carrying a cargo of crude oil. On the 9th April 1981 she sustained extensive hull damage in a gale/stor…

08/10/2024

The Meisho Maru No 38, a Japanese fishing trawler, met its unfortunate fate at Cape Agulhas, South Africa, on August 16, 1982. This maritime disaster has become a notable chapter in the region's maritime history, drawing attention from historians, marine enthusiasts, and locals alike. Vessel Details: Name: Meisho Maru No 38 Type: Fishing Trawler Length: 44.6 meters Origin: Japan The vessel was engaged in fishing activities and was navigating the treacherous waters along the Cape Agulhas....

The Meisho Maru No 38, a Japanese fishing trawler, met its unfortunate fate at Cape Agulhas, South Africa, on August 16, 1982. This maritime disaster has become a notable chapter in the region& #821…

03/10/2024

The Kenton Awesomeness Group on Facebook recently posted that the Wreck of the Volo is on the move and the best place to see it is at Bushmans River Mouth. The post sparked some interesting memories with Kath from Dempsey's Guest House, Port Elizabeth saying; "Fantastic shots, wow the Volo is truly exposed. Jack Dempsey owned the Volo Restaurant in the early nineties, a massive log from the Volo adorned the reception area....

The Kenton Awesomeness Group on Facebook recently posted that the Wreck of the Volo is on the move and the best place to see it is at Bushmans River Mouth. The post sparked some interesting memorie…

25/03/2024

Vending Machines vs. Sharks: The Deadly Showdown Vending machines kill more people than sharks In a world filled with unexpected dangers, it's easy to overlook the seemingly harmless objects that surround us. One such object that often goes unnoticed is the humble vending machine. Yes, you read that right! Vending machines, those convenient contraptions that dispense snacks and drinks, have a dark side that may surprise you....

Vending Machines vs. Sharks: The Deadly Showdown Vending machines kill more people than sharks In a world filled with unexpected dangers, it’s easy to overlook the seemingly harmless objects …

11/03/2024

One of the weirdest art installations I have ever come across:

The Namib Desert is approximately 160,000 km2 in extent as it runs down the western coast of middle and southern Africa. South African men of a certain age will remember time spent in Namibia (Sout…

27/02/2024

While both common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are intelligent and playful creatures, they have several key differences: Appearance: Body Shape: Common dolphins are typically smaller and more slender than bottlenose dolphins, with a more streamlined body. Bottlenose dolphins have a more robust and stocky build. Coloration: Common dolphins have a dark grey or brownish back with a sharp, hourglass-shaped white marking on their flanks....

While both common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are intelligent and playful creatures, they have several key differences: Appearance: Body Shape: Common dolphins are typically smaller and more s…

26/02/2024

Fortunately, shark attacks in Algoa Bay are extremely rare. The Shark Attack Data Center of the Florida Museum of Natural History records only one unprovoked shark attack in Algoa Bay since 1958 - a fatal incident in 2009. It's important to remember that these attacks are isolated events, and the risk of encountering a shark attack is incredibly low. Shark Species:...

Fortunately, shark attacks in Algoa Bay are extremely rare. The Shark Attack Data Center of the Florida Museum of Natural History records only one unprovoked shark attack in Algoa Bay since 1958 & #…

26/02/2024

While a casual glance at Algoa Bay's shimmering waters might not reveal it, the bay is teeming with life, including a diverse population of sharks. If you're curious about these majestic creatures and want to learn where they might be lurking, here's how you can become a citizen scientist and track sharks in Algoa Bay: 1. Utilizing Websites and Apps:...

While a casual glance at Algoa Bay’s shimmering waters might not reveal it, the bay is teeming with life, including a diverse population of sharks. If you’re curious about these majesti…

26/02/2024

While the Great White Shark often steals the spotlight in Algoa Bay, the bay teems with a diverse array of underwater inhabitants, one of which is the fascinating ragged-tooth shark. Often overshadowed by its larger cousin, the ragged-tooth shark, also known as the spotted ragged-tooth shark or sand tiger shark, plays a crucial role in the bay's ecosystem. Aesthetics and Habitat:...

While the Great White Shark often steals the spotlight in Algoa Bay, the bay teems with a diverse array of underwater inhabitants, one of which is the fascinating ragged-tooth shark. Often overshad…

19/02/2024

There are two main reasons why there's a Bell Buoy in Algoa Bay: 1. Safety and Navigation: Marking a dangerous reef: The Bell Buoy marks the location of "Dispatch Rock," also known as "Roman Rocks," a submerged reef about 1.5 nautical miles off the coast north of Cape Recife. This reef poses a hazard to ships, as it lies only 3 meters below the surface at low tide....

There are two main reasons why there’s a Bell Buoy in Algoa Bay: 1. Safety and Navigation: Marking a dangerous reef: The Bell Buoy marks the location of “Dispatch Rock,” also know…

18/02/2024

In 1902 a violent storm sent many ships anchored off of the North End Beach crashing onto the beach. This storm is well documented and remembered by locals and seafarers alike. WHY have you never seen these images before? BECAUSE I asked Goggle Gemini a simple question; "Create an image of the 1902 Storm in Algoa Bay" and was presented with the choices you see below:

In 1902 a violent storm sent many ships anchored off of the North End Beach crashing onto the beach. This storm is well documented and remembered by locals and seafarers alike. WHY have you never s…