The Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel have rescued over 250 people from a capsized passenger boat: MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, who cast off from a local market in the Sangana area of Bayelsa State.
The rescue operation was carried out by personnel of Naval Security Station (NSS) 023 deployed along the Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State.
Disclosing this, the Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu on Tuesday in Abuja explained that the capsized passenger boat was rescued at about 10pm on 28th April 2024.
The ill-fated boat, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL was making her way to Rivers State when it encountered stormy waters and hit a wreck which damaged its hull causing it to capsize.
It was learnt that 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.
Commodore Adams-Aliu further disclosed that the vigilant eyes and professional response of NN personnel who swiftly undertook a rescue mission ensured that 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.”
He reiterated that Nigerian Navy’s would continue to stress the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators, noting that the 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, Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu reemphasized.
