Navy rescues 10 crew members from distressed vessel

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy has said personnel of its Forward Operating Base IBAKA rescued 10 crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III, which was enroute Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea last Friday.

According to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Ayiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Monday in Abuja, the personnel responded to distress call that the vessel was taking in water.

The statement indicated that the Naval personnel promptly evacuated all occupants comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday.

Adams-Aliu said that the navy had proven its swift response capability and dedication to saving lives at sea.

“Acting on a distress call received around 2000 hours, a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was immediately deployed.

“On arrival, the team discovered the vessel taking in water and promptly evacuated all occupants comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday.

“The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its timely intervention and exceptional professionalism,” he said.

Adams-Aliu said the successful rescue operation underscores the Nigerian navy’s renewed efforts to ensure maritime safety, protection of critical national assets, and promotion of lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

(NAN)