*Sets up incident command centre
An indigenous drilling ship, Britania U caught fire during operation on Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria on Thursday.
The oil drilling vessel had 19 people onboard when the incident happened in the late hours of the morning yesterday.
Nigeria’s coast guard agency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) confirmed the incident to The Nigerian Economy in a statement on Friday.
The agency said it received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) Lagos on Thursday, that Britania U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria
“All nineteen crew members onboard the ill-fated Britania U drilling platform were successfully rescued from the Vessel,” the agency said in the statement by its spokesman, Osagie Edward.
NIMASA said it collaborated with other responding agencies and first responders to ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident.
Findings by The Nigerian Economy revealed that Brittania-U is a Nigerian integrated oil company that delivers energy services through exploration & production.
Meanwhile, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola has set up an incident command center in the office of the agency’s Executive Director Operations, to prepare an effective situation-based response plan against oil spillage or other incidents affecting the marine environment and safety of navigation.
In line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, NIMASA said its Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of the incident on Britania U.
“The outcome of the investigation will be published and recommendations arising therefrom implemented,” Edward stated.
