Building the Seychelles Pioneer

Prosperity in a small coin

The custom of placing a good-luck coin under the keel of a new vessel under construction lives on even at one of the most modern shipyards in the world. 

The chief executive officer of the Sepec (Seychelles Petroleum Company), Captain Guy Adam, did just that on National Day, June 18, when he placed a 5-cent coin under the keel that had just been laid at the Lindenau shipyard, Kiel, Germany, for the building of Seychelles’ second tanker Seychelles Pioneer.

Captain Adam told the national media after his return to Seychelles that traditionally the small coin remains hidden under the keel as workers build the ship. After the launching the person that retrieves the coin gets a bottle of whisky.

Captain Adam said the custom “is associated with luck, success and prosperity” for the future ship.

Capt. Adam places the coin under the keel

After the delivery of Seychelles’ first tanker, the Seychelles Pride, in 2002 and the ship’s success in generating revenue, Sepec ordered two new double-hull tankers, the Seychelles Pioneer and Seychelles Progress, to develop a fleet for the worldwide transportation of petroleum products.

Seychelles Pioneer will be delivered in November this year. Immediately after construction will start on the Seychelles Progress.

Also present at the keel-laying ceremony were representatives of the bank providing the loan for the construction of the tankers, and best Seychellois 2003 students Helena Simms from the Polytechnic and Ron Nicette from the School of Maritime Studies.

Over a dozen young Seychellois men are presently undergoing training in different parts of the world and on ships, including the Seychelles Pride, for employment as crew members. More Seychellois will continue receiving training until they attain the level of international qualification which would allow them to work on modern petroleum tankers.

“Seychelles Pride is repaying its loan without difficulty and is making a profit. Indications are that the two sister tankers will follow suit,” Capt. Adam said.

President James Michel said on the occasion of Seychelles Pioneer keel-laying that the three tankers represented a new industry for Seychelles.

“In the years ahead they will contribute substantially to the national budget,” he said.

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