Decommissioned to the deep

Emotional ceremony bids farewell to patrol vessel

SEYCHELLES: The PS Topaz made her final descent this weekend into the waters she protected over the last two decades to take up her new purpose as an artificial reef and underwater diving site – continuing to contribute to Seychelles by creating a unique marine attraction for both local and international visitors.

Under a grey and drizzling sky, PS Topaz, a faithful servant that safeguarded the Seychelles waters took her final bow on Friday during an emotional decommissioning ceremony attended by the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Dr Patrick Herminie.

The President was joined by Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Principal Minister and Chairperson of the National Day Committee Wallace Cosgrow, Minister for Tourism and Culture Amanda Bernstein, Minister of Homeland Security and Civil Affairs James Camille, and Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces.

Originally an Indian Naval vessel, PS Topaz was commissioned into the Seychelles Coast Guard in 2005. Over twenty years of service, the vessel was deployed across a broad range of maritime operations, including counter-piracy missions, anti-narcotics patrols, and efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

PS Topaz played a particularly significant role during the height of the piracy crisis in the Indian Ocean region between 2008 and 2010, during which the vessel and her crews successfully repelled pirate attacks and contributed to the liberation of both local and foreign fishermen.

In January 2024, she was deployed in a hostage rescue operation, one of her final and most notable missions before decommissioning.

The vessel was commanded by three officers during her service life: Retired Lieutenant Colonel Simon Laurencine (2005–2013), Captain Lyndon Lablache (2013–2020), and Captain Edwin Constance (2020–2025).

A defining moment of the ceremony came when Captain Edwin Constance formally read the Decommissioning Order, the official instrument bringing PS Topaz’s military service to a close. As the Order was read, the Seychelles national flag was solemnly lowered from the vessel for the final time, observed in respectful silence by all those gathered, marking the formal conclusion of twenty years of active service.

President Herminie presented a Special Recognition Award to Retired Lieutenant Colonel Simon Laurencine in acknowledgement of his distinguished service as the vessel’s inaugural Commanding Officer from 2005 to 2013.

In his address, Commandant of the Seychelles Coast Guard Lieutenant Colonel David Arrisol noted that he had personally served aboard PS Topaz as an Engineering Officer at the time of her commissioning, expressing pride in having been part of the crew that brought the vessel into service.

He acknowledged the dedication of all officers and crew members who had served and maintained PS Topaz throughout her operational life, ensuring the successful execution of every assigned mission.

Also present at the ceremony was Brigadier Attala, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, who had served as Executive Officer of PS Topaz during her early years of operational service. Major General Michael Rosette presented a Commemorative Plaque and Ship’s Emblem to Minister Amanda Bernstein in recognition of the Ministry’s contribution to the organisation of the ceremony.

The decommissioning ceremony was organised as part of the 50th Jubilee Independence anniversary celebrations, conducted under the national theme “Nou Pep, Nou Lidantite, Nou Desten.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the National Independence Celebration Committee incorporated the event into the official programme of national commemorations, recognising the decommissioning of PS Topaz as a significant moment in the history of the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Republic.