Above picture:  Patrick Sivertsen at South Africa’s Antarctic base, SANAE IV

Family and friends of the late Patrick Sivertsen (SANAE 53) have raised the sum of R 25 500 towards the MFM Project’s “Sponsor a Hectare” challenge. The sponsorship was organised by Graham Bainbridge who took over from Patrick as the SANAP Mechanical Engineer at South Africa’s SANAE IV base on Vesleskarvet in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica during the austral summer of 2014/15.  Graham has written to MFM News of his friend:

“Pat grew up in Oranjemund, Namibia, and then studied mechanical engineering at the University of Cape Town where we met and formed a good group of friends.  He overwintered in 2014 as the Mechanical Engineer and Deputy Team Leader of SANAE 53 (South Africa’s 53rd Antarctic overwintering team). After SANAE he continued working in Antarctica with an Antarctic logistics company based in Cape Town, where he was able to visit other parts of the continent including the South Pole.  Outside of work he loved exploring the mountains of the Western Cape, hanging out with family and friends, travelling, and exploring life.  He had an adventurous spirit, having travelled to various places around the world, and had started sailing before he passed away, being a part owner of a yacht and having just received his skipper’s license.  He was 32 when he died in December 2019. He will always be remembered for his unique outlook on life and sense of humour.”

Patrick Sivertsen is on the extreme right with his fellow SANAE 53 team members standing in front of South Africa’s Antarctic base, SANAE IV

 

Graham continues: “Pat had a passion for the Antarctic regions: the vast open spaces, the isolation and the untouched wilderness of the place. I was able to overwinter thanks to Pat, for which I will always be grateful.  When I heard of the Mouse-Free Marion Project I thought that supporting it in his name would be a fitting tribute as it encompasses his love for the environment and the Antarctic region, and I think he would have liked to have been involved if he had had the chance.  The donations have come from his family and friends who miss him dearly. I think he would think this is a very important project and would be happy having his name on the MFM project.”

 

The MFM Project is most grateful to Patrick’s family and friends for enabling a 25-ha sponsorship in the name of a past member of South Africa’s Antarctic community.  A fitting tribute!

With thanks to Graham Bainbridge and to Ria Olivier, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa

John Cooper, News Correspondent and Member, Scientific & Technical Advisory Group, Mouse-Free Marion Project, 02 December 2021