| Seychelles Coast Guard | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1993 |
| Countries |  Seychelles |
| Type | Coast guard |
| Role | Coastal defence, maritime law |
| Engagements | Anti-piracy measures in Somalia Operation Prosperity Guardian |
The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) is a branch of the Seychelles People's Defence Force created in 1993.[1] It is a maritime, military, multi-mission service. They acquired responsibility for search and rescue for vessel incidents as well as environmental protection from the Seychelles Port Authority, formerly known as the Port and Marine Services Division.
Although Seychelles is a small country, it is located off the Horn of Africa, strategically close to the operation of notorious pirates. Sri Lanka, China, United Arab Emirates[2][3] and India[4][5] have made strategic donations of patrol vessels to the Seychelles.
- ^ "Seychelles Coast Guard". Seychelles People's Defence Force. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
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"UAE donates patrol vessels to Seychelles". Baird Maritime. January 10, 2011. Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
"The UAE pledged the donation of five maritime patrol vessels in July last year... We are deeply grateful for this gesture and we note its importance as our fight against piracy is an immediate concern, which requires swift action and concrete support from the international community," said Seychellois President Michel.
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"UAE hands over 5 Coast Guard vessels". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Seychelles). April 1, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
Two of these patrol boats are 30 metres long and can carry around 15 people each. The first has been named La Flèche and the second is Le Vigilant.
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"A milestone in our relations"- Indian Navy hands over patrol ship to Seychelles Coast Guard". Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs. October 11, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
Seychelles now has 6 patrol ships: Topaz, Constant, Andromache, Etoile, La Flèche and Le Vigilant.
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Lablache, John; Uranie, Sharon (November 7, 2014). "India gifts second patrol ship to Seychelles – 'PS Constant' has the youngest Seychellois commanding officer". Seychelles News Agency. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
Apart from Etoile and Constant there are four other patrol vessels in the Seychelles Coast Guard's fleet; Topaz, Andromache (built in Italy in 1982 and funded by the Seychelles government) and La Flèche and Le Vigilant (both gifted by the UAE in 2011).