Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, on Monday, rescued over 250 persons including children following a boat mishap, involving a cargo boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, along Buguma waterways in Asari-Toru local government area of Rivers State.
The commercial boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, was conveying goods worth millions of Naira from Sangana in Brass local government area of Bayelsa State, to Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt when the accident occured.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the boat conveying goods such as smoked fish, crayfish, bunches of plantains, and numerous crates of alcoholic beverages, capsized after hitting a wreck ship.
Speaking on the rescue, Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Desmond Igbo, said no casualty was recorded due to the quick response of operatives of the Nigerian Navy.
Igbo emphasised on the need for boat operators and water travellers to adhere to safety measures, particularly by putting on life vests.
He said: “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 emphasising on safety that everyone transiting from one point to another on water must wear a live jacket.
“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.”
Earlier, a passenger who lost goods worth over N1.5million, Samuel Ikpe, 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: “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 inside the water to rescue us.
“I have lost four baskets of fish. The government should help us.”
Also, the Manager of the cargo boat, MV Precious Emmanuel, Mr Prosper Isokari, said no live was lost as a result of the intervention of the Nigerian Navy, who gave them life bouy and also jumped inside the boat to rescue them.
Isokari 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 coming inside the boat with force.
“About 250 persons were on the boat. I thank the Nigerian Navy for rescuing us. They gave us life jackets and life bouy, some of them jumped inside the water to rescue us.”