JOINT COORDINATION RESULTS IN THE RESCUE OF A DISTRESSED SAILOR

On Friday 11th October, the Seychelles Coast Guard Maritime Operations Centre was alerted by the Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage (CROSS) in La Reunion that sailing vessel “Cote Rotie” had sunk the previous night in the vicinity of Desrosches Island. The only person on board, a 60-years old French male National, had managed to escape in a life raft, and was currently adrift with no food and water.

Through coordinated efforts, a military plane from the French Air Force on the way to Seychelles was diverted to locate the life raft until Seychelles Air Force (SAF) aircraft could reach him. The French plane remained on station until SAF Dornier arrived and took over the operation. Further coordination was done with IDC and Blue Safari to deploy a boat to recover the man. SAF aircraft successfully guided the boat to the life raft, and the man was rescued and brought ashore on Desrosches late last night. He was examined by the medical staff on the island and kept under observation until he returned back to Mahe this morning on board SAF aircraft.

The SDF commends the actions of all parties involved who ensured that, through collaborative action, a life was saved at sea.

Source : Seychelles Defence Forces