– NIMASA DG sets up incident command centre
Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has confirmed that all crew members from the vessel fire incident in the Niger Delta were rescued.
A statement from NIMASA signed by the Head of Public Relations Osagie Edward revealed that NIMASA received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center, RMRCC, Lagos, that Britania U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria.
According to the statement, all 19 crew members on-board the ill-fated Britania U drilling platform were successfully rescued from the Vessel.
The Agency collaborated with other responding Agencies and first responders to ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident.
The statement also revealed that The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola has set up an incident command centre in the office of the Agency’s Executive Director Operations, to prepare an effective situation-based response plan against oil spillage or other incidents affecting the marine environment and safety of navigation.
“Furthermore, in line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the Agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap. The outcome of the investigation will be published and recommendations arising therefrom implemented,” the statement said.
