DG, applauds cooperation between NIMASA & Total Energies Nigeria over distressed vessel rescue

By Abiodun OBA

The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has praised the cooperation between NIMASA and Total Energies for rescuing occupants of a distressed fishing vessel belonging to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Jamoh noted that safety of the maritime sector was cardinal to the heart of the current leadership of the Agency, which forms part of the three-point Agenda.

“We will continue to prioritise safety of lives and property in the maritime sector, while also embracing collaboration as a tool to actualising our mandate.

“Safety is everyone’s business; hence we must continue to preach safety in the day-to-day affairs of the Nigerian maritime sector,” Jamoh said.

It is noteworthy that NIMASA recently acquired five enforcement vessels to enhance its Flag, Port state and Search and Rescue operations in the Nigerian maritime domain.

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention is an IMO Convention, ratified by Nigeria, with NIMASA as the implementing body.

Mr Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, in a statement in Lagos on Monday, disclosed that the vessel was adrift in the ocean for 11 days.

According to Edward a rescue team from Total Energies Nigeria Limited noticed a distressed vessel at sea around Offshore Operational Field, OML 100.

He stated that the team immediately sent signals to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), located in NIMASA, informing them of the situation.

“In line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) protocol, the Total team promptly initiated a rescue operation and immediately handed over the occupants of the distressed vessel to NIMASA.

“The boat was anchored at OSHE HONMI (OML 100),” he said.

He noted that the agency had through its Search and Rescue SARS clinic provided first aid, and later comprehensive medical attention to the distressed passenger who speaks only Portuguese.

He added that the passenger had since been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service to ensure he returns to his country.