Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, on Monday, rescued over 250 individuals together with kids following a ship mishap, involving a cargo boat, MV Treasured Emmanuel, alongside Buguma waterways in Asari-Toru native authorities space of Rivers State.
The industrial boat, MV Treasured Emmanuel, was conveying items price hundreds of thousands of Naira from Sangana in Brass native authorities space of Bayelsa State, to Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt when the accident occured.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the boat conveying items akin to smoked fish, crayfish, bunches of plantains, and quite a few crates of alcoholic drinks, capsized after hitting a wreck ship.
Talking on the rescue, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, mentioned no casualty was recorded as a result of fast response of operatives of the Nigerian Navy.
Igbo emphasised on the necessity for boat operators and water travellers to stick to security measures, notably by placing on life vests.
He mentioned: “Instantly the incident occurred, our males have been deployed for search and rescue. To the glory of God and to the fast response of our males, no casualty was recorded and none of them was even injured.
“Aside from combating in opposition to oil thieves and maritime crimes, we (Navy) additionally defend lives, as a part of our mandate.
“As you possibly can see, none of them on-board that boat wore reside jackets, and we’ve got been emphasising on security that everybody transiting from one level to a different on water should put on a reside jacket.
“Recall that we launched the emergency rescue at sea, and it’s pertinent to inform you that the NNS Pathfinder has documented a process to ascertain an Emergency Maritime Unit within the state. We would like the federal government to come back in and set up a full-fledged rescue unit at sea.”
Earlier, a passenger who misplaced items price over N1.5million, Samuel Ikpe, recommended the Nigerian Navy for rescuing them and referred to as on the federal government to help them, as they’ve misplaced their supply of livelihoods.
Ikpe, whose spouse and a one-year-old child have been additionally rescued, mentioned they have been used to not carrying life jackets whereas conveying items from any a part of Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt, because the boat was a home boat.
He mentioned: “I actually thanked the Navy for rescuing us, even my child of one-year-old practically drown however for the intervention of the Nigerian Navy who gave us life jackets and in addition leap contained in the water to rescue us.
“I’ve misplaced 4 baskets of fish. The federal government ought to assist us.”
Additionally, the Supervisor of the cargo boat, MV Treasured Emmanuel, Mr Prosper Isokari, mentioned no reside was misplaced because of the intervention of the Nigerian Navy, who gave them life bouy and in addition jumped contained in the boat to rescue them.
Isokari mentioned: “As we have been coming, the wind and tide have been very robust. The wind and the tide pushed the boat into the wreck which punctured the boat and water began coming contained in the boat with pressure.
“About 250 individuals have been on the boat. I thank the Nigerian Navy for rescuing us. They gave us life jackets and life bouy, a few of them jumped contained in the water to rescue us.”