Fire outbreak onboard drilling vessel in Niger Delta… crew members rescued

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA on Thursday, 18 July 2024, received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) Lagos, that Britania U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcados Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria.

A statement by NIMASA on Friday, said  that all 19 crew members onboard the ill-fated Britania U drilling platform were successfully rescued from the Vessel.

It added that the Agency collaborated with other responding Agencies and first responders to ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident.

According to the statement, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, set up an incident command center in the office of the Agency’s Executive Director Operations, to prepare an effective situation-based response plan against oil spillage or other incidents affecting the marine environment and safety of navigation.

The statement also disclosed that, in line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the Agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap.

The Agency pledged to published the outcome of the investigation  and implement the recommendations as given.