The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of seafarers and the protection of maritime assets following a successful rescue operation involving a distressed vessel off Nigeria’s coast.
Speaking on behalf of the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander K. K. Ahunanya, said the operation aligned with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s ongoing mission to strengthen maritime security across the nation’s waters.
He explained that NNS OSE, while on routine patrol, responded to a distress call at about 1300 hours from a vessel travelling from Gabon to Calabar, conveying scrap materials and other logistics.
According to him, “the vessel was crewed by 21 persons comprising 14 Nigerians and 7 Cameroonians.”
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He said that on arrival at the scene, naval personnel observed thick smoke billowing from the vessel, which prompted immediate rescue efforts.
Crew members who had abandoned the ship, as well as those trapped on deck, were rescued using life buoys and brought to safety.
“Twenty crew members were successfully rescued and administered first aid,” he added.
The Navy disclosed that the vessel’s Chief Engineer, who reportedly jumped overboard for fear of an explosion, remains missing, while a search and rescue operation is ongoing.
The operation was supported by personnel from Forward Operating Base IBAKA, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen. NNS OSE also deployed portable pumps to battle the fire, which affected the midship and aft sections of the vessel.