The Nigerian Navy on Thursday took delivery of Offshore Survey Vessel, NNS LANA, built in Saint Nazaire, France.
Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Suleman Dahun disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The statement quoted the Defence Minister, Bashir Magashi, to have said, during the flag transfer ceremony, that the vessel would “enhance the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment and serve as a critical component in the projection of naval power for enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.”
“It will also play a critical role in protection of maritime resources and preservation of law and order at sea, thus contributing significantly to promotion of global maritime commerce,” the statement said.
The statement also said the new vessel is “designed and purposely built to enable the Nigerian Navy conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys. It is also capable of conducting geophysical studies, search and rescue operations as well as patrol duties. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art modern survey equipment as well as a well-equipped 7.6m surface vehicle for shallow water surveys.”