Seychelles turns a decommissioned patrol ship into a diving attraction
In early May 2024, the Seychelles government deliberately sank the former Coast Guard vessel PS Topaz shortly after its official decommissioning. The move was timed to coincide with the nation’s 50th‑anniversary independence celebrations and forms part of a broader strategy to enhance marine biodiversity while boosting the country’s diving‑tourism sector.
From Indian Navy patrol to Seychelles Coast Guard workhorse
PS Topaz began its life as INS Tarmugli, a patrol vessel built for the Indian Navy. India gifted the ship to Seychelles in 2005, reflecting growing maritime cooperation between the two nations. Over more than two decades of service, the 46‑metre-long craft participated in anti‑piracy patrols, counter‑narcotics operations, illegal‑fishing enforcement, and general maritime security missions across the western Indian Ocean.
The vessel underwent a major refit in India in 2019, which extended its operational lifespan. During the heightened piracy threat of the early 2020s, PS Topaz was one of Seychelles’ most visible assets, escorting commercial convoys and responding to distress calls. Its final notable deployment occurred in January 2024, when it supported a hostage‑rescue mission off the archipelago’s coast.
Creating an artificial reef for marine life and divers
Rather than scrapping the ship, authorities chose to sink it in a designated zone near the main island of Mahé. The submerged hull is expected to quickly become colonised by corals, sponges, and fish, forming an artificial reef that can support a variety of marine species. By providing a new habitat, the project aims to bolster local biodiversity and create an attractive site for recreational divers.
Officials anticipate that the wreck will draw both experienced divers and newcomers, adding a unique product to Seychelles’ existing dive‑tourism portfolio, which already includes pristine coral reefs, wall dives, and night‑diving experiences.
Tourism, prosperity, and global mobility in Seychelles
Tourism remains a cornerstone of the Seychellois economy. In 2023 the archipelago welcomed nearly 400 000 international visitors, with Europe constituting the largest source market, followed by arrivals from Asia and Africa. The sector’s success has helped Seychelles achieve high per‑capita income and strong human‑development outcomes despite its small population and limited domestic market.
According to the HelloSafe Prosperity Index 2026, Seychelles ranks as the richest country in Africa, scoring 98.09 on a composite measure that includes income, health, education, and infrastructure. This standing reflects the effectiveness of the nation’s tourism‑driven, blue‑economy model.
Global mobility is another area where Seychelles excels. The latest Henley Passport Index places the Seychellois passport among the world’s most powerful and maintains its status as Africa’s strongest travel document, granting visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to a wide range of destinations.
Diplomatic efforts continue to reinforce this advantage. Jacques Belle, Director General of Protocol, Consular and Diaspora Affairs, has highlighted ongoing visa‑waiver negotiations, noting that reciprocal arrangements would further ease travel for Seychellois citizens abroad.
India‑Seychelles partnership extends beyond tourism
India remains a key strategic partner for Seychelles, especially in maritime security and environmental protection. In addition to PS Topaz, India has previously transferred several other vessels to the Seychelles Coast Guard, including PS Constant, PS Zoroaster, and PB Boudeuse. Two Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft were delivered in 2013 and 2018, enhancing the islands’ ability to monitor their expansive exclusive economic zone.
These assets support joint efforts to combat illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking, while also contributing to marine‑conservation initiatives that protect the archipelago’s coral reefs and attract high‑value tourists from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Looking ahead
The sinking of PS Topaz illustrates how Seychelles is repurposing former military infrastructure to serve ecological and economic goals. By converting a decommissioned patrol ship into an artificial reef, the nation aims to enrich its underwater ecosystems, diversify its tourism offerings, and reinforce its reputation as a leader in sustainable ocean‑based development.
As the project progresses, monitoring teams will track coral growth, fish abundance, and diver satisfaction to assess the wreck’s long‑term impact. Early indications suggest that the initiative could become a model for other small island states seeking to balance conservation with economic growth.
