President Wavel Ramkalawan received six Seychellois appointed Chief Engineers and Captain currently employed by Seychelles Petroleum Company Limited (SEYPEC) at State House this morning.
The seafarers; Captain Roy Buisson, Captain Fred Esparon, Captain Daryl Anthony, Captain Jean-Paul Fanchette, Chief Engineer Martin Roucou, and Chief Engineer Saman Clarisse have been recruited, trained, and employed by the national petroleum company over the past 7 years and through the necessary Sea-time and academic studies they have excelled in their different capacities.
Thus, this morning was an opportunity for the President to personally congratulate them on their achievements and thank them for making Seychelles proud. He urged them to continue working hard and to encourage the Seychellois youths to join SEYPEC.
“It is an honour for me to receive you all here at State House today and I would like to congratulate you all and express our sincere appreciation for your many years of sacrifice and dedication. You are role models for our Seychellois youths and your achievements should be an inspiration for them. I am very proud to see that Seychellois are the ones managing and operating the fleet tankers. I would also like to commend the management of SEYPEC for the pivotal role they have played in making your studies possible and being able to be fully-fledged trained Seychellois,” said President Ramkalawan.
During the meeting with the President, the 6 Seychellois mariners shared some of their experiences as well as challenges. They also discussed how SEYPEC can encourage more Seychellois to take job opportunities in the company, female seafarers who have joined the company among other topics.
Captain Roy Buisson obtained a scholarship from the Government of Seychelles to follow a Pre-Sea training (Deck) and obtained Basic STCW proficiency certifications at the Australian Maritime College (Australia) in 2002. He joined Seychelles Pride in 2002 as a deck cadet along with another of his colleague who is also a captain onboard our fleet Captain Adrian Mondon. He also briefly worked with Mahé Shipping as a Deck Cadet on board the Spirit of Praslin in 2003. In 2004-2006 Buisson enrolled with AMC (Australia) to follow an Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science). He received his credential in 2007.
During his career, he worked for three other companies, Unicorn Shipping - a well know company in South Africa - as 3rd Officer, 2nd Officer and Chief Officer. He also worked for two offshore companies, namely, Swire Pacific Offshore on their Seismic vessel which was doing Oil Exploration in the Mozambique Channel - and Anchor handling tug which was working on the west coast of Africa. He also worked for a Dutch company on their Floating Production Storage offloading (FPSO) as a Marine Supervisor which was based in Australia. Roy re-joined the Seychelles fleet in 2019 as a Chief Officer for 2 terms before he was contracted as Master on board Seychelles Paradise in 2019 and Seychelles Patriot.
Captain Fred Esparonjoined SEYPEC in 2007 after his GCE ‘A’ level Studies at SALS. Between 2007 and 2012, he obtained his Basic and Upgraded STCW proficiency certifications at the Australian Maritime College, Australia. After completing his Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) course at the same institution in 2011, he was awarded with his CoC (Certificate of Competency) as junior Deck Officer by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Thereafter, in 2012, after amassing some sea time experience and passing his Oral exam, AMSA awarded Fred with CoC as a Master Class 3 ˂ 1600GT. The same pattern followed herby he was awarded his CoC as Chief Mate with Unlimited Operational license in 2014. In 2018 Fred followed a preparatory course at the University of Tasmania, Australia (UTAS) and undertook Master Oral examination at AMSA whereby he was awarded with an unlimited operational license in December of the same year.
In terms of career, with SEYPEC Fred started off as a Deck Cadet in 2007, then progressed as a 3rd Officer in 2011, then progressed to the rank of 2nd Officer in 2012. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Mate in 2016 and also served as Master on board MT. Seychelles Paradise between 2016 and 2019.
Fred served his first contract as a Master on the deep sea tanker – MT. Seychelles Patriot from May to September 2021. He is now on leave for a period of 4 months before his next foreign going contract on the same vessel.
Captain Daryl Anthony graduated with Honors after following a degree BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester between 2003 and 2006.
Daryl joined SEYPEC in December 2006 and through a company scholarship he was enrolled with the Australian Maritime College (2007-2011) to follow an Advanced Diploma in Applied Science (Nautical Science) course. Upon meeting all requirements Daryl obtained his CoC as OOW (Unlimited) license from AMSA thereafter.
Upon undertaking further studies and meeting all requirements Daryl obtained his CoC as Chief Mate (Unlimited) license from AMSA in 2016. With further sea time experience and additional training, Daryl obtained his Master CoC from AMSA in 2019. Although, Daryl is yet to take command as Master on the foreign going vessel, with his current competence he has served as Master on board the local based tanker, MT. Seychelles Paradise between 2017 and 2021 for a total period of 10 months.
Captain Jean-Paul Fanchette joined SEYPEC in 2008 whereby he was enrolled with Unicorn Training College (South Africa) to undertake Basic STCW courses and Pre-Sea training.
Thereafter, SEYPEC funded him with a scholarship to follow a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science/Officer of the Watch, at the Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland) between 2009 and 2012. He graduated in 2013 with a ‘Distinction’.
Upon undertaking further studies at NMCI Jean-Paul was awarded with his Chief Mate (Unlimited) license in 2017 by the Department of Transport (Ireland). In 2020 he self-financed his training at and was awarded with his Master (Unlimited) license by the Department of Transport (Ireland).
Jean-Paul served as Master on board MT. Seychelles Paradise in 2019 (02months) and again in 2020-2021 (total of 04months 14 days). Although he is yet to take command as Master on a foreign going tanker, Jean-Paul is a fully-fledged Master Mariner with more than 67 months sea-time experience. He has been highly recommended by his mentors/superiors for promotion prospects once a vacancy arises.
Chief Engineer Martin Roucoujoined SEYPEC in 2006 and served as an Engine Cadet before progressing to the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in 2008 to follow a four year BSc in Marine & Plant Engineering, which was sponsored by SEYPEC. Martin excelled from his cohort whereby upon graduating from the degree program in 2012 he was named Outstanding Student.
He served in the rank of 4th Engineer, 3rd Engineer and 2nd Engineer on SEYPEC and GTS tankers for a total period of 44 months 07 days. With the support of SEYPEC, Martin proceeded to Ireland whereby he obtained his Chief Engineer CoC in March 2018. He continued to serve in the rank of 2nd Engineer before being promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer in November 2019. His first C/E contract was on board the local jewel, MT. Seychelles Paradise. To date, he has been serving in the rank of Chief Engineer for 13 months and 28 days.
Chief Engineer Saman Clarisse joined SEYPEC in 2009 in order to obtain sea time in accordance with the requirements of the Bachelor Degree in Marine & Plant Engineering (Government of Seychelles sponsored scholarship) he was following at the Cork Institute of Technology (Ireland). He graduated in 2013 with a Distinction and thereafter obtained his 3rd Engineer License with the Irish Department of Transport and Tourism. With this license he could also serve as 2nd Engineer for near coastal area in motor ships of less than 3000kw.
Saman explored other professional avenues whereby he followed a Management Degree with the Institute of Commercial Management in 2014, whereby he obtained Distinction for the modules followed. From September 2016 to January 2017, through a bond support from SEYPEC, Saman was enrolled with NMCI (Ireland) for preparatory course to obtain 2nd Engineer license. After successfully passing his oral with the Irish Department of Transport and Tourism, Saman obtained his Second Engineer License.
In 2021, through partial loan from SEYPEC Saman obtained his Chief Engineer CoC from the Irish Department of Transport and Tourism. During his contract as 2nd Engineer on board Seychelles Patriot Saman was promoted and briefly served as Chief Engineer (27 days) from January to February 2021. He served a full term contract as Chief Engineer on board Seychelles Paradise from 5th August to 20th October 2021. He is due to return for contractual engagement on the same vessel in December this year.
The Chief Engineers were accompanied on their visit to State House by the Chief Executive Officer of SEYPEC; Mr Conrad Benoiton, General Manager, Commercial at Seychelles Petroleum, Mrs. Sarah Romain and Head of Shipping & Security Seychelles Petroleum, Mr. Allain Asba.