Russian Antarctic ‘prospecting’ ship’s twi…

An onlooker takes a selfie with the Fedorov in the background. Apart from stopping in Cape Town on 10 December for six days, the Fedorov has been at sea for nearly four months, sailing under the flag of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE). (Photo: Nic Bothma)

After an all-day, sometimes meandering, journey up Cape Town’s sleepy Atlantic coast, the Fedorov finally neared port late in the afternoon, edging into a deep-blue gathering storm. The Jolly Roger, a familiar tourist ‘pirate’ ship at the V&A Waterfront, trundled on to the scene at the same time, heaving with tourists. (Photo: Nic Bothma)

Preoccupied by two weekend events taking place around the Waterfront — a Stormers vs Sharks rugby match and the Cape Town Pride Parade — onlookers did not exactly line up to greet this worn lady of the Antarctic seas. There was no evidence to suggest these kelp gulls knew what to make of the Fedorov’s arrival, either. (Photo: Nic Bothma)

Under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty – an agreement devoted to peace and science – Cape Town has served as a key transit node to the Fedorov & Co for decades. This year, the ice-strengthened ship serviced not only Russia’s five polar research stations, she also conducted her usual weather, oceanography and other Southern Ocean studies. But as envoys of a state waging an illegal, brutal war on Ukraine – also a treaty signatory that uses this port – Russia’s Antarctic fleet remains deeply controversial. (Photo: Nic Bothma)