On 19 October the MV Spil Ningsih, a fully loaded container vessel, contacted the authorities to report that it had grounded near Ste Anne Island.
According to the Seychelles Port Authority (SPA), the Harbour Master activated the emergency response team and all available marine assets were mobilized to assist in the operation of the vessel. The Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA), Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), and National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) were also alerted.
The grounding occurred within the Ste Anne Marine Park, a protected area, making the effort imperative for all resources to be mobilized. Additionally, due to the vessel’s size and location time was of the essence as a result of the ship’s position which could have increased the risk of pollution and complicated recovery efforts.
After several attempts, the vessel was successfully refloated on 20 October. MV Spil Ningsih was then towed to a safe anchorage for further inspections before being cleared to dock at Mahé Quay. The preliminary risk assessment of the vessel and its surroundings showed no visible signs of pollution or leakage.
