Repair of Fregate Island Breakwater, Seychelles

The Seychelles are a group of islands located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The country is primarily dependent on tourism for its foreign exchange. Fregate island, one of the smaller most isolated granite islands, houses Seychelles' only 5-star hotel. The marina is of paramount importance for running hotel operations as it enables supplies and water sports. When the breakwater, that secures undisturbed entrance of the harbour, starts eroding after only one monsoon, the lifeline of the hotel is being endangered. The main breakwater was constructed as a rock armoured breakwater. It extends beyond the steep sloped edge of the coral reef. During the Southeast monsoon, high waves approach the island and break onto the breakwater continuously. Outside the Southeast monsoon, swell from distant cyclones may reach the site and last for days. As the rock armour size used to extend the breakwater during construction was inadequate to withstand the more severe wave climate at deeper water, the breakwater started to erode.