A disaster was prevented in Rivers State when naval personnel successfully rescued 250 people from a capsized passenger boat.
According to Vanguard, the majority of those rescued were traders who had departed from a local market in the Sangana area of Bayelsa State, heading towards Rivers State.
However, during the journey, the boat, named MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, encountered stormy conditions and struck a wreck. This collision damaged its hull and caused the boat to overturn.
Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, reported that the incident occurred around 10 pm on Monday, April 28, 2024. It was personnel from Naval Security Station (NSS) 023, stationed along Cawthorne Channel, who carried out the rescue.
According to him: “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 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 Nigerian Navy 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”.