According to a statement by the Navy, the ill-fated boat, MV Precious Emmanuel cast off from a local market in Sangana area of Bayelsa State and was making way to Rivers State when it encountered stormy waters and hit a wreck which damaged its hull causing it to capsize. Notably, according to the statement, the locally made, 3-deck wooden vessel popularly known as “Large Cotonou Boat” was overborne, had no life saving equipment onboard and none of its passengers wore a lifejacket.
“It was the vigilant eyes and professional response of NN personnel who swiftly undertook a rescue mission that ensured no life was lost,” the statement said. “This rescue effort is in line with the Strategic Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla which states that “the strategic end state of NN operations is a safe and secure maritime environment in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“Additionally, the NN wishes to reiterate the importance of lifejackets, life buoys and other life-saving equipment to local maritime operators. Provision and proper utilisation of such equipment is imperative to the safety of lives at sea.”
The statement restated NN’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime space from the backwaters to the outermost limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone for legitimate businesses to thrive.