The Nigerian Navy says over 250 persons were rescued on Sunday after a locally made, 3-deck wooden vessel popularly known as “Large Cotonou Boat” en route from Bayelsa to Rivers with passengers on board capsized in Rivers State.
The Director Naval Information, Commodore Adams Aliu, in a statement on Tuesday disclosed that the Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel of Naval Security Station (NSS) 023 deployed along Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State swiftly responded to the boat mishap and rescued the distressed passengers who were not on lifejackets unhurt.
“The ill-fated boat, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL cast off from a local market in Sangana area of Bayelsa State and was making way to Rivers State when it encountered stormy waters and hit a wreck which damaged its hull causing it to capsize
“Notably, the locally made, 3-deck wooden vessel popularly known as “Large Cotonou Boat” was overborne, had no lifesaving equipment onboard and none of its passengers wore a lifejacket.”
He also disclosed that, it was the vigilant eyes and professional response of NN personnel who swiftly undertook a rescue mission that ensured no life was lost.”
Commodore Aliu, noted that, the rescue effort by the NN personnel was in line with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla which states that “the strategic end state of NN operations is a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
The statement also highlighted the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators, noting that security of lives and property within the Maritime domain is top priority of the NN.
“Provision and proper utilisation of life– saving equipment is imperative to safety of lives at sea.”
The NN, assured the general public that it remains committed to securing Nigeria’s maritime space from the backwaters to the outermost limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone for legitimate businesses to thrive.
