Navy Rescues Over 250 Passengers from Capsized Boat
Disaster was prevented in Rivers State when 250 people aboard a capsized passenger boat were rescued by naval personnel.
The rescued individuals, mostly traders, had set off from a local market in the Sangana area of Bayelsa State, bound for Rivers State.
However, halfway through the journey, the ill-fated boat, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, reportedly encountered rough waters. During the turmoil, it struck a submerged wreck, damaging its hull and causing it to capsize.
The Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, disclosed that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2024, and involved personnel from the Naval Security Station (NSS) 023, deployed along the Cawthorne Channel.
He stated, “The three-deck wooden vessel, commonly known as a 'Large Cotonou Boat,' was overloaded, lacked lifesaving equipment, and none of its passengers were wearing lifejackets.
"The alert and swift response by Nigerian Navy personnel led to a rescue operation that ensured no lives were lost. This action aligns with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, which emphasizes a secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea."
Commodore Adams-Aliu continued, “The Nigerian Navy reiterates the importance of lifejackets, life buoys, and other lifesaving equipment for local maritime operators. The provision and proper use of such equipment is crucial for safety at sea. The NN assures the public that it is committed to ensuring the safety of Nigeria's maritime space, from the backwaters to the outermost limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone, to enable legitimate businesses to thrive.”
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