Five crew members were injured after a container ship and an oil tanker collided at the Bonny Inner Anchorage in Rivers State, causing an oil spill.
The accident occurred on May 20 and involved MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian oil tanker.
NIMASA spokesman Osagie Edward said the agency swiftly deployed 10 armed operatives from its Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny after receiving a distress call about the incident.
The injured workers aboard MT Lady Martina were evacuated for medical attention, while both vessels remained stranded after the crash.
“The Deep Blue Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033,” the statement reads.
“In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.
“Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.”
Edward disclosed that MT Lady Martina drifted toward the Bonny Channel and ran aground after the impact, while MV Valparaiso remained stuck at the anchorage awaiting further assessment.
He added that MAERSK had formally informed NIMASA about the collision, prompting the agency’s Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, to order an investigation into the cause of the incident.
“In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.”
