Update on sunken vessel Galatea |17 March 2026

Update on sunken vessel Galatea

Vessel’s captain remanded in police custody

The owner and captain of vessel Galatea, which sunk on Friday March 13, 2026, appeared before the Supreme Court yesterday morning, and the court has ordered that he is remanded in police custody for 14 days. The 61-year-old French national resides in Beau Vallon.

According to a police communique released late yesterday, the individual is being investigated in connection with the alleged offences of “Conveying a Person by Water for Hire in an Unsafe or Overloaded Vessel” and “Rash and Negligent Act”.

Police said that preliminary information gathered during the ongoing investigation, 13 persons were on board the vessel at the time of the incident. Ten individuals were rescued, while three persons remain unaccounted for, namely one Seychellois male and two Swiss nationals.

The Maritime Incident Board (MIB), in collaboration with the Seychelles Police Force and other relevant authorities, continues to conduct investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, in a press release issued yesterday, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) said search and rescue operations remain ongoing in the vicinity of Marie Louise Island.

An empty life raft and the vessel’s tender were recovered from the water on Sunday. The tender was subsequently towed back to Desroches Island, said the communique.

“At this time, three persons remain missing. The exact status of the vessel has not yet been confirmed. Authorities continue to coordinate search and rescue efforts in the area using all available resources,” read the communique.

SMSA confirmed that since the incident occurred, search and rescue operations have totalled approximately 40 operational hours using both air and sea assets.

Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.

Press releases – Seychelles Police/SMSA