Coast Guard’s new Topaz commissioned |24 February 2005

On board the ship, President James Michel, as commander-in-chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF), unveiled a large plaque bearing the vessel’s new name, accompanied by Admiral Arun Prakash, chief of India’s Naval Staff and SPDF chief of staff Colonel Leopold Payet.

Attended by Vice-President Joseph Belmont, military staff from both India and Seychelles, as well as Indian High Commissioner Arun Kumar Goel and Minister for Foreign Affairs Patrick Pillay, the ceremony saw the official transfer of what was formerly the INS Taramugli to the Topaz, which will pair with the SCG ship Andromache in performing patrols, interception and search and rescue duties.

Speaking shortly before the commissioning, Admiral Prakash commented on the friendly relations between Seychelles and India and their respective military forces, saying that if one thought of “the sea as a highway that joins rather than a barrier that divides,” the two countries could be considered neighbours.

The admiral, who was present for the original ceremony to commission the Taramugli – named after an Indian island in the Bay of Bengal – into his own fleet more than two years ago, said the ship was specifically suited to the needs of the Coast Guard in patrolling Seychelles’ large Exclusive Economic Zone.

Originally a new boat was to be constructed for the SPDF, he said, but given the time it would take before its completion, it was decided to hand over the Taramugli.

Admiral Prakash said he hoped the “reincarnated” Topaz would be “the jewel in the SPDF crown,” and that it would not only distinguish itself with the Coast Guard but also serve as a symbol of Indo-Seychellois friendship.

Colonel Payet echoed those sentiments, calling India “the main contributor to the SPDF in terms of training and expert support.” He noted that the name of Topaz for the ship was chosen in honour of the previous Coast Guard ship under that name, which is now not in service.

The US $15 million ship will have the Coast Guard’s Major Simon Laurencine as its commanding officer.

While the addition of the Topaz won’t necessarily change the role of the Andromache, Major Laurencine said the new vessel would allow for increased coverage and reduce the older ship’s workload. He noted that both ships had the same approximate top speed by design.

The Topaz is expected to undergo some cosmetic changes, Major Laurencine added, which will see the entire ship’s hull painted grey in similar fashion to the Andromache.

The vessel’s rear hull is currently black under the Indian Navy.

India has assured its support in training personnel and maintaining the craft until it can be cared for locally.

Some Indian crew members will be staying in Seychelles for three to six months to that end, after which they will progressively withdraw.

According to Admiral Prakash, after meeting with President Michel, Vice-President Belmont and Colonel Payet, as well as other top officials during his stay, a number of other ventures of military cooperation have been identified. He said he would bring proposals back to India to see how the country’s armed forces could help further.