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President Dr Patrick Herminie  visited the Seychelles Coast Guard jetty at Baie Ste Anne on Monday to gain a first-hand insight into the state of the facility and the progress of its ongoing modernisation.

During the visit, the President was briefed on the scope of works being undertaken in partnership with the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA), aimed at transforming the former ferry terminal into a safe, functional, and properly equipped operational base for coast guard officers. He toured the site, inspecting existing structures and the areas earmarked for improvement, and recieved updates on the project’s timeline and objectives from accompanying officials.

The President’s visit reflects the government’s continued commitment to ensuring that coast guard personnel serving in the inner islands have access to safe and appropriate working conditions.

 Once complete, the upgraded facility is expected to sharpen the Coast Guard’s capacity to respond rapidly to incidents in the waters surrounding Praslin and La Digue, with officers based on the island better positioned to act without the delays associated with deployment from Mahé.

The jetty was formally transferred from the Seychelles Ports Authority to the Seychelles Coast Guard in August 2023, following the relocation of the ferry and passenger services to the newly built ERO terminal elsewhere in Baie Ste Anne.  The structure has served the Praslinois and the wider maritime sector since 1970’s, functioning for decades as the principal hub for inter-island passenger and cargo movement between Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.