Quick-thinking boatmen rescue drowning sailor |19 June 2013

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that an allegedly inebriated man, believed to be a crew member of the Russian naval craft visiting Port Victoria, decided to take a swim in the harbour area behind the stadium and got into difficulties after entering deep water.

Eldon Marguerite and Curtis Constance, two local boatmen from Machabée, were entering the harbour area on their way to the show when they spied the swimmer struggling in the water, and reportedly rescued him.

“I noticed three of them sitting at the water’s edge under the trees drinking a lot of rum since the morning,” said an eyewitness at the scene. “This guy was really drunk and was staggering around, and I thought he was going to make some trouble. Then he decided to take a swim in the water, but I don’t think he realised how deep the water gets there, because the boats go past here all the time.”

Louis Loizeau, a member of the National Day organising committee secretariat, was also present at the scene and praised the quick reaction from the boatmen as well as the paramedics and police who arrived in a matter of seconds.

“By the time I had got over there, the first-aiders were at the scene, the police were also there to assist.”
The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken to hospital for treatment.

Mr Loizeau said it was pertinent to note that on the occasion of the 20th National Day of the Third Republic of Seychelles, the boatmen displayed patriotism for their country.

“It is thanks to our sense of unity and humanitarianism, regardless of colour and nationality, that has saved this gentleman’s life,” he concluded.