Not less than 250 persons traveling in a wooden boat at about 10pm on April 28 2024 have been rescued by the Naval Security Station (NSS) 023 deployed along Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State when the boat capsized
According to Nigerian Navy Director of Information, Commodore Adams Aliu no life was lost to the incident.
The naval spokesperson added that the rescue was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff thrust for safety of life while reiterating the CNS call for the use of life jackets and other materials that promotes safety onboard.
“The illfated 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.
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.”
“Additionally, the NN wishes to reiterate the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators. Provision and proper utilisation of such equipment is imperative to safety of lives at sea.
The NN, wishes to assure 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” the release read
