A dramatic rescue unfolded on April 28, 2024, as Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel stationed along Cawthorne Channel in Rivers State sprang into action to save more than 250 passengers from a capsized boat.
The vessel, MV PRECIOUS EMMANUEL, departed from Sangana area in Bayelsa State but encountered rough waters, leading to a collision with a wreck that caused it to overturn. Shockingly, the boat lacked essential safety equipment, with none of the passengers wearing life jackets.
Thanks to the swift and skilled response of NN personnel, no lives were lost.
This successful rescue operation reflects the NN’s commitment to maintaining a secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea, aligned with the directives of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff.
The NN underscores the importance of providing local maritime operators with life-saving gear like life jackets and buoys.
Proper provision and use of such equipment are vital for ensuring the safety of individuals at sea.
The NN reassures the public of its steadfast dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and supporting legitimate maritime activities from inland waters to the Exclusive Economic Zone.
LV.