In compliance with the Nigerian Navy’s role of Search and Rescue as well as responsibility towards the safety of lives and property in Nigeria’s maritime environment, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OKPABANA rescued a Surfer passenger boat, NUE SWIFT.
The rescue mission was carried out off Bonny Fairway Buoy at about 2pm on Tuesday 5 July 2022.
The 16 metre Surfer Passenger Boat MV NUE SWIFT, which belongs to a Lagos-based Oil Service Company, had a crew of 5 Nigerians onboard.
The boat lost her means of propulsion at Agbara Platform while transiting from Forcados to Bonny Single Buoy Mooring and drifted for about 32 hours without any help or assistance.
According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodote AO Ayo-Vaughan, “NNS OKPABANA in swift response to the boat’s distress message, located MV NUE SWIFT and towed the boat to Bonny Anchorage.
“The crew members were medically evaluated and counselled by Nigerian Navy medical personnel onboard NNS OKPABANA.
“Thereafter, the crew and the boat were handed over to the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Forward Operations Base BONNY, on 6 July 2022 at about 10am, for onward transfer to the Company’s representatives.
“The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, remains committed to her constitutional duty of promoting, co-coordinating and enforcing safety regulations in the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria amongst other constitutional roles.”
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