Local fishermen rescued following collision at sea |23 January 2014

Three local fishermen have been rescued from the sea after their fishing boat was involved in a collision with another vessel which is believed to be a passing merchant ship.
 
The incident happened on the Mahé plateau where the fishermen had been fishing on the evening of January 21, 2014.  

The three fishermen are Patrick Francoise, 44 years, Fabio Banane, 30, and Steven Labonte, 44, who is also the owner and skipper of the 30-foot long boat.

The fishing boat was severely damaged and the fishermen remained in the water for several hours before being rescued in the early hours of January 22 by a local fishing boat.

The three fishermen were then transferred to the Seychelles Coast Guard patrol boat Le Vigilant, where necessary medical care was administered.

The three fishermen were brought back to Mahé late yesterday morning by Le Vigilant. They have been transported to the Seychelles Hospital for further medical attention.
 
Meanwhile, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA) and the police are conducting an investigation into this incident.