A Nigerian flagged Motor Vessel, MV VIGEO ADEBOLA, which was reported to be distressed midstream Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne due to operational error has been moved to a better location clear away from the FOT Onne Channel.
The removal has averted another major disaster. On February 2, 2022, a floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), The Trinity – that worked for Shebah Exploration & Production Company Limited (SEPCOL) in Receivership at the offshore terminal of Ukpokiti oil field located in oil mining lease (OML) 108, Escravos, Ugborodo, Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State, exploded killing about nine crew members.
Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, in a statement made available to The Business Intelligence Africa (TBI Africa), said MV Vigeo Adebola had a port list on 10th February, 2022 due to the fact that it received potable fresh water from a barge and it received all in the port fresh water tank.
The vessel owners were able to correct the list on the 13th February, 2022 by transferring some of the potable fresh water to the starboard side in order to have an even keel. Throughout this period, the surveyors from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) constantly monitored the vessel until the operation was completed and the vessel relocated.
It is noteworthy that at no point was the vessel having a negative metacentric height and vessel owners and captains are assured of safety of navigation on the Channel.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, gave the assurance that the Agency will continue to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders in ensuring the waterways and channels are safe for navigation.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure vessel owners, captains and all stakeholders, of the Agency’s commitment to its mandate, which includes maritime safety, geared towards safety of navigation of vessels in Nigerian territorial waters”, Jamoh said.
