Seychelles takes extra measures to secure territory against piracy
23.10.2009
The High-Level Committee on Piracy set up by President James Michel has recommended troops be deployed on outer islands as a precautionary measure in view of the increased frequency of attacks in the Indian Ocean region around and within Seychelles’ exclusive economic zone.
The security initiative was presented to the commander-in-chief, President Michel, who approved the immediate deployment of Seychelles People’s Defence Forces personnel to islands to the north and south of Mahe.
The move follows a pirate attack that took place in Seychelles’ waters yesterday.
The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) has confirmed that the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Al Khaliq was captured by Somali pirates 180 nautical miles west of Mahe.
There are 26 crew members on board, 24 Indians and two Burmese.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Minister Joel Morgan, head of the High-Level Committee on Piracy, stressed that troops are being deployed strictly as a precautionary measure.
“The SPDF will act as a deterrent force to any approaching pirate vessels, and our forces will complement the coordinated response of the Seychelles and international naval forces in the region,” he said.
He was accompanied during the interview by chief of defence forces Brigadier Leopold Payet, commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard Lt Col Michael Rosette, and Major Edward Anacoura.
The 180-metre long Al Khaliq made a distress call to the SCG at 10am yesterday, saying it was under attack. It said some of the crew had been imprisoned in a room, some had resisted the pirates, and gunfire and fighting ensued. Communication with the vessel was then cut off.
The SCG and the European Union Naval Force’s maritime patrol aircraft spotted the boats and verified that the pirates had taken control of the ship. The planes saw that the “mother” skiff was taken on board the vessel.
The Al Khaliq was later seen heading towards the coast of Somalia. The SCG did not intervene so as to avoid escalation of violence on the ship.
Mr Morgan also noted that Seychelles’ EEZ has 1.4 million sq km of ocean and for this reason it is a greater challenge to guarantee the security of our waters alone.
“We have appreciated the strong support from all our international partners that have sought to assist us with patrol and surveillance of the zone,” he said.
He noted that the United States and the EU have stationed maritime patrol aircraft in Seychelles, and that the SCG is working closely with the naval forces in the region.