Vessel collision: NIMASA assures on rescuing eight trapped crew members

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have assured the relatives of eight crew members trapped underwater as a result of the midstream collision of two vessels namely, MT Elixir and MT Tank.

The agency, which said that three crew members were saved from the accident as one dead body was recovered, also disclosed that the incident occurred about 65 miles from shore representing 10 nautical miles south-west of the Bonga FPSO near Warri.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday in Lagos, Haruna Baba Jauro, the acting director general of the Agency, said that the preliminary report shows that the incident occurred at about 12 midnight on Monday 19th October 2015 and that MT Tank got broken in the process and was taken in by water.

According to him, the Tanzania registered vessel, MT Tank, was going to Onne Port with 12 crew members onboard when the incident happened. He stated that underwater inspection is ongoing to ensure that the trapped persons are rescue d in due time.

The NIMASA boss further assured the families of the trapped victims that the Search and Rescue unit of the agency will continue a comprehensive rescue operation to rescue the victims, and thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain the remote and immediate causes.

The Acting DG, who expressed sadness over the loss of life occasioned by the accident, also urged crew members to exercise more caution while navigating especially at night.

He further assured the families that the agency will mediate between both shipping companies to ensure that the welfare of the affected seafarers were taken care of, and to ensure that all issues are settled amicable.  “We will also ensure that the provisions of Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, is duly administered.”

Vincent Udoye, director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers’ Standards (MSSS), who disclosed that NIMASA has agreement with International Oil Companies (IOCs) to assist the agency in rescue operations during distress incidents, confirmed that it was the team from Shell Bonga Field that responded to the distress call and rescued the survived victims before the agency arrived at the scene of the incident, and conveyed the survivors to hospital for medical attention.   

NIMASA, according to him, is passionate about ensuring that the report of the investigation is concluded and published so that the public will learn from the mistakes that led to the accident.