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Seychelles tanker helps rescue stricken boat |17 April 2015



One of Seychelles’ maritime tankers, the MT Seychelles Paradise, was involved in an operation to rescue a Malagasy boat during one of its offshore bunkering trips approximately 35 nautical miles north-west of Nosy Be, Madagascar.  

The incident occurred during the early hours of April 1, 2015, when at approximately 3am a duty watchman reported sighting of a white light on port side of the vessel.

The master and security personnel on duty investigated and noticed a white light flashing six points to port, about five cables distance and approaching. Immediately, Seychelles Paradise, belonging to the Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec), switched on the searchlight in order to further investigate. The Seypec security team on board was on duty at the time and in full readiness in the event of any threat or emergency.

Upon investigation the crew on board observed a 15-foot white hull boat with one outboard engine. Deck watch personnel reported hearing “Au sécours” being called out from the boat. Approaching closer they discovered 15 people including two small boys on board the small boat which had been at sea since 3pm the previous day. They had lost their way in bad weather and were having engine problems.

According to the master on board Seychelles Paradise, captain Adrian Mondon, the weather at the time included passing showers with thunderstorm and lightning. In their bid to see what help they could offer, the deck crew managed to throw a heaving line to the stricken boat and pulled them alongside.

The master and security team leader assessed the situation on sight and questioned the occupants of the stricken boat who said they were on their way to Nosy Be from Nosy Mitsio. Captain Mondon then reported the incident via mobile phone call to the local Malagasy authorities through the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Antananarivo, and requested help or guidance from shore authorities.

While awaiting response from JRCC Antananarivo the Seychelles Paradise crew gathered as much information possible from the stricken boat’s occupants and constantly sent follow-up emails to JRCC Antananarivo and the Seypec shipping department to keep them informed of latest developments. Seypec’s shipping department advised the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) on developments throughout the event.

“During all this time, we provided the occupants of the stricken boat with raincoats, dry bed sheets and warm blankets followed by hot beverages and biscuits. The chief cook was called up to prepare some hot meals for them,” said captain Mondon
.
By 6.17am, Seychelles Paradise received a confirmation email from JRCC Antananarivo that their message had been received and that they were doing the necessary to send help to the stricken boat. One female occupant of the stricken boat was also able to contact relatives ashore via mobile phone and arrangements by family members were being made for their safe return ashore.

Following further communications, confirmation was received by 10am that two boats had been dispatched by family members to escort the distressed vessel.
Seychelles Paradise’s onboard oiler, Claudio Monthy, also managed to fix the outboard engine of the stricken boat which started to make its way back on its own to meet up with the other two escort boats presumed to be on the way.

According to Captain Mondon, by then the weather had cleared up. It was sunny with calm seas and all on board the boat were in good health. They expressed their appreciation for the help they received and left in good spirits.

A happy ending to what could have been a long journey lost at sea.

Seychelles Paradise is proud to have been able to lend a helping hand to our fellow brothers of the Indian Ocean. Seypec through its shipping department has commended the crew on board for their pro-activeness and efforts in order to ensure protocols are adhered to and manage to help in a rescue operation which could indeed have been one of our own Seychelles vessels in the same situation.

 

Photos taken by MT Seychelles Paradise crew

 

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