SMSA gears up for August 15 celebrations |31 July 2019
Captain Valmont leading a meeting with representatives of key agencies ahead of the August 15 celebrations
Every year hundreds of Seychellois flock to La Dique to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption or known by many Seychellois as ‘Lafet La Digue’. To make sure that the week-end long celebration goes without any accidents like the past two years, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA) has mobilised key agencies to offer their help in that regard.
“This year we have mobilised all our key agencies to oversee safety and security so that all goes smoothly,” said Captain Joachim Valmont, chief executive of SMSA.
Mr Valmont added that there will be three main checkpoints operating on a 24-hour basis from August 14 till the end of the celebrations.
One checkpoint will be located in the vicinity of Ste Anne Island for vessels leaving Mahé, another one at Baie Ste Anne for vessels departing Baie Ste Anne and Côte D’or Praslin and one between Praslin and La Digue for vessels departing Baie Ste Anne and La Digue jetties.
“The officers will be checking important necessary details and equipment on every vessel travelling to La Digue on that day. These include the number of passengers and the carrying capacity of the boat and if there are first aid kit and enough life jackets for each passenger,” said Mr Valmont.
Additionally, the SMSA, Seychelles Coastguard, the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, police and port authority and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) will be patrolling and ensuring security at sea during the religious holiday.
Mr Valmont added that if boat operators are seen breaching the safety regulations and requirements they will be taken to task and asked to return to their point of departure.
He added that a curfew has also been placed on hire craft and private vessels with a length of 7 metres and below. They will not be allowed to leave the island from sunset to sunrise and this is an extra precaution taken to try and avoid capsizing incidents like we have seen in the past.
Restrictions have also been placed on speed boats and jet skis from August 14 to August 19.
Other safety measures to be implemented include the need for lifejackets for small boats where skipper and passengers must wear their lifejackets before travelling to La Digue and vice versa.
“I will like to call on everyone travelling to La Digue to be careful and responsible, and make sure to wear your life jacket as it will save your life,” said Captain Valmont.
Frederick Ladouceur De Speville, who is a member of the August 15 organising committee, said that more ferries will also be added to transport people to the island including patrons who go to the island only to attend the church service.
He also added that this year the committee has removed boat race on the list of activities to be held on the 15th as it will be risky to have a race with the number of boats that will dock on La Digue.
The SMSA is requesting all vessels to refrain from berthing and remaining alongside La Digue and Praslin jetties and to take directives from the respective pier masters. There will also be limited access to vehicular traffic on both jetties.
All boat operators are asked to follow existing regulations by informing the port of their departure, the expected time of return and the number of passengers they have on board. This will help relevant authorities better manage and control travel between the islands.