Off-loaded goods included four 40' refrigerated containers containing core samples and four "scrap" core liner boxes. Because the off-going freight volume was low, the TAMU surface freight was consolidated with that of Ocean Drilling, Ltd. (ODL) in a single 40' container. Radioactive sources, lithium batteries, and a frozen shipment of samples were also off loaded for shipment to their respective destinations.
Hardware and equipment taken aboard during the port call included two boxes of core liners, two 40' containers of routine hardware and supplies, two reconditioned positioning beacons (S.N. 2025 and S.N. 2030), and three tilt beacons (S.N. 1039, S.N. 1040, and S.N. 1137) for use with the HRB, and two flats of ancillary HRB hardware. Bulk products loaded included 18 metric tons (MT) of Bentonite gel (delivered in P-trucks) and 78 MT of Sepiolite in 1.0 MT bags. Another 27 MT were stored in Cape Town for loading prior to Leg 177. In addition, the fuel tanks were topped off with 1800 MT of marine gas oil.
We conducted private VIP tours of the vessel on the first day of port call, followed by a reception for various dignitaries at the Capetonian Hotel. Public tours were conducted on the second day.