By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy (NN) has rescued over 250 passengers who were onboard a passenger boat that capsized in Rivers State.
A statement on Tuesday by the Director, Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, says the rescue operation was carried out at about 10pm on 28 April 2024 by personnel of Naval Security Station (NSS) 023 deployed along Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State.
TheFact Daily gathered that the ill-fated boat, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL cast off from a local market in Sangana area of Bayelsa State and was making its way to Rivers State when it encountered stormy waters and hit a wreck which damaged its hull causing it to capsize.
The locally made, 3-deck wooden vessel popularly known as “Large Cotonou Boat”, was noted to have been overborne, had no lifesaving equipment onboard and none of its passengers wore a lifejacket.
“It was the vigilant eyes and professional response of NN personnel who swiftly undertook a rescue mission that ensured no life was lost.
“This rescue effort is 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 said.
The NN reiterated the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators, adding that provision and proper utilisation of such equipment is imperative to safety of lives at sea.
The NN further 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.
