Boat Mishap: Navy Rescues 250 Victims in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Over 250 persons, including children, who were involved in a boat mishap last Sunday were rescued by the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS). The incident occurred along Buguma waterways in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that the cargo boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, conveying goods worth millions of naira from Sangana in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt, capsized around 10:30p.m. last Sunday after hitting a wreck.

It was also gathered that the cargo boat was conveying goods such as baskets of smoked fish, crayfish, bunches of plantains, and numerous  crates of alcoholic beverages, others.

Speaking on the incident, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said no casualty was recorded due to the quick response of operatives of the Nigerian Navy.

He emphasised on the need for boat operators and water travellers to adhere to safety measures, particularly by putting on life vests.

According to him, “Immediately the incident happened, our men were deployed for search and rescue. To the glory of God and to the quick response of our men, no casualty was recorded and none of them was even injured.

“Apart from fighting against oil thieves and maritime crimes, we (navy) also protect lives as part of our mandate. As you can see, none of them on-board that boat wore live jackets, and we have been hammering on safety that everyone transiting from one point to another on water must wear a life jackets.

“Recall that we launched the emergency rescue at sea, and it is pertinent to tell you that the NNS Pathfinder has documented a procedure to establish an Emergency Maritime Unit in the state. We want the government to come in and establish a full-fledged rescue unit at sea.”

One of the victims, who survived the wreck, Samuel Ikpe, said he lost goods worth over N1.5million. He commended the Nigerian Navy for rescuing them, and called on the government to support them, as they have lost their source of livelihoods.

Ikpe, whose wife and a one-year-old baby were also rescued, said they were used to not wearing life jackets while conveying goods from any part of Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt, since the boat was a house boat.

He said: “We left Sangana by 4:30p.m. and got to this place where the incident occurred around 10:30p.m.

“I really thanked the Navy for rescuing us, even my baby of one year old nearly drown but for the intervention of the Nigerian Navy who gave us life jackets and also jump into the water to rescue us.

“I lost four baskets of fishes. The government should help us.”

Commending the Navy, Manager of the cargo boat, Mr. Prosper Isokari, said no lives was lost as a result of the of the intervention by the Nigerian Navy, who gave them life jackets and also jumped inside the boat to rescue them.

He said: “As we were coming, the wind and tide were very strong. The wind and the tide pushed the boat into the wreck which punctured the boat and water started entering into the boat with force. About 200 persons were onboard the boat

“I thank the Nigerian Navy for rescuing us. They gave us life jackets and life bout, some of them jumped into the water to rescue us.”