PS Topaz completes medium refit in India |20 February 2017

Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) patrol ship (PS) Topaz is returning to Seychelles after undergoing its medium refit at Visakhapatnam, India, since March 2016.

The Indian Navy handed over the ship to SCG Commander Colonel Simon Dine at a grand ceremony held at the Indian Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on February 16, 2017, marking the successful completion of the refit.

This is the second refit of the ship by the Indian government. 

The ship, which is a gift from India to the SCG in 2005, had also taken part in the International Fleet Review, held in India in February 2016 before the commencement of its refit.

The medium refit (MR) was undertaken over a period of 10 months to improve the ship’s performance and extend its lifespan.

The work included major overhaul of its two engines and diesel generators; replacement of air conditioning system; complete repair of underwater hull; upgrade of weapon and sensors systems; and complete refitting of living space.  

After the refit, the ship was subjected to various trials and checks to assess the performance of the equipment.

The SCG crew stationed at Visakhapatnam during the refit have been trained by the Indian Navy to use the new equipment fitted on the ship and on safe navigation operations, among others.

The successful and timely completion of refit of PS Topaz adds yet another chapter to the strong defence and maritime cooperation between India and Seychelles. Having enhanced her combat role worthiness considerably after the refit, PS Topaz is set to bolster the capabilities of SCG in surveillance and other maritime operations in Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area.

The ship started sailing back to Seychelles on February 17, 2017 under tow by an Indian Naval Ship and is likely to reach the islands in the first week of March 2017.