The idyllic Seychelles Islands, one of the main tourist locations in the Indian Ocean and a popular cruising and visiting point for superyachts is not quite so idyllic just now. The serious piracy activity, which is operating out of Somalia across a large area of the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, has had a detrimental affect on the islands. While the islands are located towards the eastern extremities of the piracy incidents it is near enough to put off an unspecified number of yachts that would have visited.

Tourism and fishing are key contributors to the economy of the islands. Within the former, marine tourism — comprising cruises ships and yachts — represents an important element. Also evident among the shipping calling in the Seychelles are naval vessels such as those from Russian and the UK that were recently there. These warships are part of the sizeable naval force that has come together from several countries to try and combat the activities of the pirates or at least deter them. Among the vessels seized have been a number of yachts from a large French-owned superyacht to the recent taking of Paul and Rachel Chandler in their 12m (38ft) yacht Lynn Rival.

As to the superyachts a local source indicated that there had been a drop in visitor numbers and that piracy was seen as a key reason for this. One press report also referred to the Eden Island superyacht marina berths "being almost empty." The Seychelles has called upon the international naval force for specific naval protection in order to deter a possible attack on the islands from pirates, which is a fear held by the tourism trade. Apart from less superyachts visiting there has also been a 30 per cent fall in the tuna catch from fishing vessels based on the islands.


Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 10 February 2010