The Nigerian Navy (NN)said it has rescued over 250 passengers from a capsized passenger boat in Rivers State.
According to a statement by Commodore Adams Aliu, the Director of Naval Information, the incident took place on April 28, 2024, at around 10 pm local time, when the boat, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, capsized after hitting a wreck and encountering stormy waters.
He explained that the ill-fated boat had departed from a local market in Sangana, Bayelsa State, and was en route to Rivers State. It was reported that the boat was “overborne, had no lifesaving equipment onboard, and none of its passengers wore a lifejacket.”
“The swift and professional response of NN personnel stationed at the Naval Security Station (NSS) 023 along Cawthorne Channel played a crucial role in ensuring that no lives were lost in the incident. This successful rescue operation aligns with the “Strategic Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla,” which aims to secure the maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
In a statement, Commodore Aliu emphasised the importance of life-saving equipment for local maritime operators, stating, “The NN wishes to reiterate the importance of lifejackets, life buoys, and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators. Provision and proper utilization of such equipment is imperative to the safety of lives at sea.”
