SAS AMATOLA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Fregate had to cancel voyage to Russia

The SAS 'Amatola-F145' had to cancel a visit to Russia in July 2024, due current defects to the vessel. The SAN repair capability, managed by the Armscor Dockyard, was struggling to ensure the Navy vessels are fully maintained for operational deployments. In February it was announced that the frigate would undertake a voyage the likes of which the SAN has never attempted. At the same parade the SAS 'Drakensberg-A301' should have transited the Atlantic with calla on Brazil and Cuba. Indications were that this visit, which was to include exercising with the Brazilian Navy as well as flying the diplomatic flag in both countries, is also not going to happen. The 'Drakensberg' has not been to sea in several years, but efforts were being made to get the vessel seaworthy. The 'Amatola' voyage would have been going up the African east coast, through the Suez Canal and porting in Alexandria for exercises with the Egyptian Navy. Next was set to be a Mediterranean Sea transit and passage through the Straits of Gibraltar, then north through the English Channel and the North Sea ahead of entering the Baltic Sea. The return voyage, post the Russian Navy anniversary event, was set to see the 'Amatola' traverse Africa’s west coast with unspecified stops en route before ending the 19,000 nautical mile voyage at her home port, Simon’s Town, one of the longest undertaken by an SAN platform.

SAS AMATOLA 601350000

The crew of the Cape Town yacht that sunk in the Atlantic Ocean a few days ago arrived home safely aboard the "SAS Amatola" on Mar 29, 2011. They were rescued after the "Spirit of Izivunguvungu" was badly damaged in a storm, and had to be abandoned in sinking condition, while they were sailing home from Brazil after participating in the Cape to Rio race. Crew members received an emotional welcome from family members and relatives upon their arrival in Simon’s Town.