By Tom Zaneni
A fire incident has occurred on a drilling rig christened Britannia U around OML 90 also known as Alakpa Oilfield in Nigeria’s Niger Delta.
The inferno happened on Thursday 10.77 nautical miles South of the Forcados Terminal in Delta State, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Friday.
The statement, signed by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, claimed that all 19 crew members onboard the ill-fated drilling vessel were rescued unhurt.
The agency did not disclose the cause of the fire incident on the drilling platform.
But Edward said the agency collaborated with other responding agencies and first responders for the safe rescue and evacuation of the crew and other exposed persons during the incident.
He said “the agency has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap”, and the outcome including its recommendations would be made public, and implemented.
, “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) Lagos, that Britannia U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcados Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria
“All nineteen crew members onboard the ill-fated Britannia U drilling platform were successfully rescued from the vessel.
“The agency 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.
“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.
“Furthermore, in line with its mandate under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the direct and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap.
“The outcome of the investigation will be published and recommendations arising therefrom implemented.”
