PRESS RELEASE
Handover of Fast Response Boat “CONSTANT” to Seychelles Coast Guard
Tuesday, 8 September 2026: A Fast Response Boat, “CONSTANT,” was officially handed over to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base at Ile Perseverance today, as part of a Government of Japan-funded programme implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The ceremony was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Dr Patrick Herminie; Japanese Ambassador to Seychelles, H.E Sakuta Makoto; Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette; Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Brigadier Jean Attala; UN Resident Coordinator for Seychelles, H.E. Lisa Singh; Deputy Regional Representative of UNODC, Mr Koen Marquering; Seychelles Defence Forces Unit Commanders and Officers of the Seychelles Coast Guard and representatives of Yamaha Motors.
The handover of the Fast Response Boat form part of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Border Management Branch-Global Maritime Crime Programme, which is implementing the Japan-funded project titled ‘Improving sustainability of maritime law enforcement agencies in East Africa through standardization and advanced skills for employment of technology’. One of the major activities under the project is the procurement and handover of a high-speed boat to Seychelles Coast Guard, with an objective of increasing the sustainability of maritime law enforcement (MLE) operational capacity, through the standardization of engines and parts, and advancing technical skills and knowledge.
During his address, the Ambassador to Japan stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary since Japan advocated the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) on the African continent. Located at a strategic point in the Indian Ocean and sharing fundamental values with Japan, Seychelles is an important partner for the realization of FOIP. Japan continues to support Seychelles for strengthening its own maritime law enforcement capabilities.
Addressing the ceremony, UN Resident Coordinator H.E. Lisa Singh highlighted Seychelles’ active participation in multinational exercises and its continued efforts to enhance maritime security, cooperation and operational capacity.
Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette, expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for its continued partnership and support. He noted that the assistance provided through UNODC has contributed significantly to the advancement of Seychelles’ maritime operational capabilities and to the strengthening of the Seychelles Coast Guard’s ability to fulfil its maritime law enforcement responsibilities.
The ceremony concluded with the signing and formal exchange of the handover documents between UNODC and the Seychelles Defence Forces, followed by a group photograph and refreshments.
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