The navy has rescued 20 crew members from a vessel that caught fire in the Calabar area of the Oron-Calabar waterways in Cross River State.
According to a statement from the Base Operations Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya on Tuesday, the distress call was received around 1:00 pm while the naval patrol ship was conducting routine operations in the vicinity.
The incident took place on Monday when the Navy Ship, NNS OSE, responded to a distress signal from the Motor Vessel MV Chimba Express, which was en route from Gabon to Calabar carrying scrap materials and other supplies.
He said upon reaching the scene, naval personnel noticed thick smoke coming from the vessel, which prompted immediate rescue actions.
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“Crew members who had evacuated the ship, as well as those trapped on deck, were rescued using life buoys,” the statement indicated.
Ahunanya reported that 20 crew members were successfully rescued and provided with first aid.
He noted that there were a total of 21 crew members aboard, consisting of 14 Nigerians and seven Cameroonians.
The chief engineer of the vessel, who reportedly jumped into the water due to fears of an explosion, is still unaccounted for, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The statement also mentioned that personnel from the Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen contributed to the rescue operation.
Additionally, NNS OSE utilized portable pumps to extinguish the fire, which affected the midship and aft sections of the vessel.
Ahunanya reiterated the navy’s dedication to ensuring the safety of seafarers and safeguarding maritime assets within the country’s territorial waters.
