Container cargo vessel runs aground prior to entering Port Victoria |31 July 2020

A container cargo vessel, the Pacific Voyager, ran aground yesterday in the vicinity of the approach channel prior to entering Port Victoria.

A communiqué from the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) said the incident, reported at around 7.40am yesterday, occurred while the vessel was undertaking health clearance procedures prior to proceeding towards its allocated berthing space at the commercial port.

Port control officers were alerted that the vessel had drifted in the shallow waters hence partly running aground while completing health clearance formalities.

As per normal protocols, the harbour pilot was on standby on a smaller vessel together with two tugs awaiting health clearance prior to engagement in boarding and guiding the vessel towards the port when the incident occurred.

The SPA team in collaboration with representative of the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) were deployed around 9.20am to provide further maneuvering assistance.

The vessel went afloat at 10.10am and the pilotage began at 10.55am.

The vessel is currently moored at Mahé Quay South where it has begun unloading its cargo as per its original schedule.

An investigation is being conducted to determine the facts causing the incident.

Communique from SPA