Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Pathfinder, has rescued over 250 persons including children following a boat mishap, involving a commercial boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, along Buguma waterways in Asari- Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The commercial boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, was conveying goods worth millions of Naira, such as baskets of smoked fishes, crayfish, bunches of plantains, and numerous crates of alcoholic beverages, from Sangana in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt.
SweetCrude Reports gathered that the cargo boat capsized around 10:30pm yesterday, after hitting a wreck.
Speaking, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said no casualty was recorded due to the quick response of operatives of the Nigerian Navy.
Igbo emphasised on the need for boat operators and water travellers to adhere to safety measures, particularly by putting on life vests.
He said, “Immediately the incident happened, our men were deployed for search and rescue. To the glory of God and to the quick response of our men, no casualty was recorded and none of them was even injured. Apart from fighting against oil thieves and maritime crimes, we (Navy)also protect lives, as part of our mandate.
“As you can see, none of them on-board that boat wore live jackets, and we have been hammering on safety that everyone transiting from one point to another on water must wear a live jacket.
“Recall that we launched the emergency rescue at sea, and it is pertinent to tell you that the Nigerian Navy through NNS Pathfinder has documented a procedure to establish an Emergency Maritime Unit in the state. We want the government to come in an establish a full-fledged rescue unit at sea.”
Earlier, a passenger who lost goods worth over N1.5million in the boat accident, Mr. Samuel Ikpe, commended the Nigerian Navy for rescuing them and called on the government to support the victims, as they have lost their source of livelihoods.
Ikpe, whose wife and a one-year-old baby, were also rescued, said they were used to not wearing life jackets while conveying goods from any part of Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt, since the boat was a houseboat.
“We left Sangana by 4:30pm and got to this place where the incident occurred around 10:30pm.
I really thanked the Navy for rescuing us, even my baby of one year old nearly drown but for the intervention of the Nigerian Navy. I have lost four baskets of fishes. The government should help us.”
Also, the Boat Manager of MV Precious Emmanuel, Mr. Prosper Isokari said no lives was lost as a result of the intervention of the Nigerian who gave them life buoy and also jumped inside the boat to rescue them.
“As we were coming, the wind and tide were very strong. The wind and the tide pushed the boat into the wreck which punctured the boat and water started coming inside the boat with force.
“More than 200 persons were on the boat. I thank the Nigerian Navy for rescuing us. They (Navy) gave us life jackets and life buoy, some of them jumped inside the water to rescue us.”
