Blowing Up Boats at Sea: A Bold Stand or a Dangerous Precedent for Seychelles?
President Patrick Herminie this week congratulated the Seychelles Coast Guard for intercepting and destroying an Iranian dhow believed to be transporting illegal narcotics. The vessel was blown up at sea as part of the Government’s newly intensified Search and Destroy policy targeting maritime drug trafficking routes in the Indian Ocean.
It was a dramatic show of force. It sent a message. It made headlines.
But now that the smoke has cleared, there are serious legal, environmental, and moral questions that deserve the nation’s attention.
This article is not about defending drug traffickers. Seychelles has suffered deeply from the drug crisis, with thousands of Seychellois families affected and an entire generation scarred by addiction. No one disputes the need for strong enforcement.
The question is how far is too far?
What Exactly Happened?
According to the official statement, six crew members were removed from the dhow and handed over to local authorities for investigation. The drugs were confirmed. The vessel was then destroyed on the ocean, burned and blown apart.
President Herminie praised the act, stating that the destruction of the boat at sea sends a strong, uncompromising message to traffickers.
The new protocol states that all seized narcotics and transport vessels will now be destroyed outside Seychelles waters, never brought to land.
It is designed to prevent corruption, theft, diversion and contamination.
But there is another side.
Is It Legal?
Destroying vessels at sea sits in a grey space under maritime law. Seychelles is bound by various conventions, including SOLAS and MARPOL, which set standards on waste disposal and safety.
Legal experts have already raised concerns, quietly.
If the dhow belonged to private citizens of another state, what is the legal basis for destruction? Are we risking diplomatic disputes with Iran, or others who may claim seizure was unlawful or insufficiently documented?
And what if one day the intelligence is wrong?
An error at sea leaves no evidence to correct.
Environmental Concerns
Blowing up a vessel is not environmentally neutral. It does not simply disappear into blue water.
- Hull fragments
- Fuel residue
- Burnt materials
- Metal debris
These do not dissolve. They remain.
Environmental scientists have noted that even fishing boats sunken naturally can disturb ecosystems. A deliberate explosion is even more disruptive.
There are unconfirmed reports that the dhow went down in a zone frequented by tuna and dolphin pods.
Was an environmental impact assessment conducted?
Was the Ministry of Environment consulted?
Or has enforcement now outranked ecology?
The Moral Question
If Seychelles begins destroying boats rather than prosecuting cases fully, we risk normalising military spectacle as justice.
Justice must be:
- Transparent
- Documented
- Accountable
- Reviewable
A destroyed vessel removes the primary piece of evidence.
The public is left to trust what they are told.
And trust in government justice has not always been our strongest national currency.
Voices of Concern
Several civil society groups have already begun quiet discussions.
One retired judge, speaking anonymously, said:
“The State must understand that power is easiest to use and hardest to control. When destruction replaces process, accountability becomes optional.”
A fisherman from Glacis told us:
“We fear what comes next. If government can blow up boats today, what will they feel empowered to do tomorrow?”
These are not extremist reactions. They are reasonable questions.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Seychelles cannot afford softness on trafficking.
But neither can we afford unchecked state power at sea.
A policy this severe should have:
- Clear legal frameworks
- Judicial oversight
- Environmental safeguards
- Public transparency
Until then, this approach risks setting a precedent that may harm Seychelles more than it protects it.
Strength is not always found in fire and explosions.
Sometimes real leadership is shown in restraint.
