The new fire boat is expected to boost SFRSA’s firefighting and rescue capacity (Photo: Anel Robert)

The firefighting and rescue capacity of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) is expected to get a big boost following the donation of a boat from the embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Seychelles.

It was the chargé d’affaires of the embassy of UAE in Victoria, Ahmed Alneyadi, who handed over the 30-foot fire boat to chief fire officer Albert Rose, in a small ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the SFRSA headquarters, Latanier Road.

Present were the Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who is also responsible for the Ministry of Home Affairs, the principal secretary in the Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) Paul Labaleine, senior and junior staff of SFRSA. It is the first time that SFRSA acquires a fire boat in its firefighting fleet.

The boat, which had been stationed at the Airport Fire and Rescue Services for some time now before being commissioned to SFRSA, has cost R2.8 million. It holds a twin 120 gallon tank and 2X 300 horse power (HP) outboard engines which can achieve high speed from 45 to 50 knots.

The boat can cater for six seated fire fighters with additional standing manpower. Fixed with a modern navigation system, it is thus specifically equipped to take care of any fire emergencies arising on ships and ports.

The boat is not just restricted to extinguish and deal with potential fire problems but includes a number of other roles and responsibilities from a wide range of rescue missions.  

In his remarks, Mr Alneyadi highlighted that the boat was a generous donation from the Ministry of Interior of the UAE. He noted that His Highness Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, has proclaimed 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance’ which has brought forth positive vibes to its communities and to the rest of the globe, thus promoting excellent cohabitation.

Mr Alneyadi, who hailed the work of firefighters, said that though they do so to keep people, the community, the environment and properties safe from the devastation by fires, it must be admitted that firemen still require special tools and state-of-the-art equipment to enable them to perform their duties impeccably.

Guests and SFRSA staff in a souvenir photograph after the handover of the boat (Photo: Anel Robert)

“Today’s occasion is an expression of the strong bond and partnership that has existed for many years between Seychelles and the UAE and is continuing to grow,” Mr Alneyadi said, expressing the embassy’s deepest admiration for the noble profession of the firefighters.

On the part of the government of Seychelles and SFRSA, senior divisional officer, Regis Bethew, thanked the UAE, through Mr Alneyadi, for the wonderful donation noting that it will enhance their firefighting and rescue capacity and any relevant tasks which may arise in relation to ships, ports and coastal emergencies.

“This donation is basically to share and extend the importance of this honourable cause, which is to save and protect lives and properties at sea, hence, this boat is much more than a gift, in fact it is a necessity when considering its purpose and capabilities,” Mr Bethew said.

Speaking to the press, SFRSA’s spokesperson Jones Madeleine said that as there is no seaworthy trained human capacity available to immediately man the fire boat, SFRSA will train personnel to operate the boat while it seeks authority from the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) for a place to anchor it. The fire boat will also have a name in the near future.