Navy Rescues Over 250 Persons from Capsized Passenger Boat in Rivers State

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(Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff,CNS)

By Biola Lawal

The Director of Naval Information, Comdre A Adams-Aliu said that the ill-fated boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, cast off from a local market in Sangana area of Bayelsa State heading to Rivers State.

The boat later encountered stormy waters due to which it hit a wreck which damaged it’s hull causing the boat to capsized.

The Navy noted that the locally made wooden boat which had three decks and popularly known as ” Large Cotonou Boat”, was over-borne and had no lifesaving equipment onboard, while none of the passengers wore lifejacket.

However, vigilant naval officers with professional acumen, swung into action and undertook a successful rescue mission which resulted in the rescue of all the drowning passengers.

The rescue operation, Comdre Adams-Aliu stated was conducted in line with the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

He noted that the CNS had instructed that the overall objectives of Naval operations is for a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the gulf of Guinea.

The Navy also stressed the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to maritime safety, urging local operators to prioritise provision to the safety necessities.

The Naval Spokesman assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Navy remained committed to securing Nigeria’s maritime space from backwaters to the outermost limit of the exclusive economic zone for legitimate businesses to thrive. (Flowerbudnews)