Facilitating boarding and disembarking processes

With the help of two essential barges, the Seychelles are supporting Mayotte in restoring maritime connections between Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre. This assistance, orchestrated by the Prefect of Mayotte, François-Xavier Bieuville, responds to a critical situation intensified by Cyclone Chido.

The impact of Cyclone Chido has left significant marks on Mayotte. Among the numerous challenges, the essential maritime links between Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre have suffered severe disruptions. Faced with the urgency of the situation, the Prefect reached out to a Seychellois shipowner following consultations with local maritime specialists.

The two barges provided by the Seychelles will contribute to re-establishing this vital connection. Despite logistical challenges, their presence represents a pivotal change in the island’s rehabilitation process. The success of this operation requires cooperation between sailors from Mayotte and the Seychelles. The mixed teams will benefit from their complementary skills. The Seychellois sailors are experts in handling barges, while their Mayotte counterparts have in-depth knowledge of the local seabed.

The Prefect of Mayotte explained that this complementarity aims to facilitate the boarding and disembarking processes. The intervention of the two barges is planned for a month; however, their deployment could be extended if the repairs to the local barges require more time than expected.