SEAmester – South Africa’s ‘Class Afloat’ aims to introduce marine science as an applied and cross-disciplinary field to students who have shown an affinity for core science disciplines. It combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities for a maximum of 40 students; while providing them with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities.

This year, 41 postgraduate students from 15 institutions across South Africa participated in a ten-day trip at sea onboard South Africa’s premier polar research vessel, the SA Agulhas II. Eight of the students were supported by the African Coelacanth Ecosystem (ACEP) Phuhlisa programme, which is managed by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB).

On 5 July, the students met Professor Isabelle Ansorge, Head of the Oceanography Department at the University of Cape Town and driver of the SEAmester programme, for the cruise briefing. Once they had settled in, the students were organised into two groups, “Tools of the Trade” (blue helmets) and “Oceans in a Changing World” (red helmets). Everyone had some deck experience and received lectures and practical experience in operating specialised equipment such as drifters, moorings and bongo nets, learning to identify and quantify salinities and nutrients like phosphorous and nitrates.

Buyani Mazeka and Sazi Nzama from the University of Zululand stated that the most involved and challenging part of the entire experience was the proposal presentation. Their topic was “May the force be with you – scale of motion and transport”. Buyani said, “The proposal presentations assessed whether we captured all that SEAmester had to offer. It meant that we had to refer to our lecture notes and bring to the table the knowledge we had gained during the practical sessions.” They added that all this, whilst working with students from different backgrounds, who had different study interests and their own interpretation of the topic, brought a unique perspective to the discussions.

Grant van der Heever from the University of the Western Cape added that during his time on board he had learnt a lot about physical and chemical oceanography, as well as the different tools used to collect oceanographic data. He now has a better understanding of oceanography and aims to use the knowledge gained to develop a multidisciplinary approach towards his project. “The skills that I developed can be applied throughout the course of my career, thus making me a better marine scientist,” he said.

The students learnt a great deal from the trip and gained many insights into what they need to do for the research which they had already started to implement. The students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to the SEAmester team, namely Tahlia Henry, the SEAmester coordinator, Professor Ansorge, Chief Scientist, Justin Gavin Louw and the scientific officers and crew. They also expressed thanks to their respective universities, their lecturers and their supervisors who motivated for them to be selected for the programme. They were especially grateful to SAIAB and ACEP Phuhlisa, the Department of Science and Technology which sponsored the voyage through the National Research Foundation, and the Department of Environmental Affairs which operates the R/V SA Agulhas II. The cruise is expected to become an annual event, with the second SEAmester cruise in 2017. Honors/BTech, MSc/MTech, Interns, University and Technikon students are selected nationwide. Applications are accepted from currently registered postgraduate students with a background in marine or similar sciences. Past sea-going experience is not compulsory.