The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER, have saved 99 persons from drowning in the waters of Rivers during an operation on Tuesday.
This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adams-Aliu said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain,” he said.