Nigeria’s Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has deployed a team of Search and Rescue as well as marine accident investigation officers to the location of the incident involving the Majestic Rig, owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited. The rig capsized at Ovhor in Warri, located in Southern Nigeria’s Delta State.
In a statement issued by NIMASA Spokesperson, Edward Osagie, said that findings have confirmed that the ill-fated Rig is Panama Flagged and has been operating on Nigerian waters since 2016 without requisite approvals from the Agency.
According to the statement, The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed when it was been towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State.
The statement further reads, “NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the scene of the incident.
In addition, the Agency is in communication with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incident within 24 hours in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.“
