Anna Okon
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has advised masters and crew members in vessels entering the Nigerian territorial waters to be vigilant and security conscious.
The agency gave this advice in a letter addressed to ship owners, shipping companies, international oil companies, ship operators, masters, captains, agents and the general public.
In the letter which was published in The PUNCH of Wednesday, the agency noted that it was keeping to its mandate to provide maritime safety and direction and ensure compliance with vessel security measures.
In the letter signed by its management, the agency advised all vessels transiting through the high risk areas and areas categorised as piracy prone to adopt recommended best management practices, the International Maritime Organisation’s guidelines for the protection of shipowners, masters and operators against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
“All masters and crew members are advised to be vigilant at all times and ensure security and safety through the use of recommended and approved ship protection measures,” the letter read in part, adding the emergency contact details for people to call in case of any incident.
The written advice from the agency is coming barely a week after a vessel was reportedly hijacked off the coast of Bras, Rivers State.
Earlier, the Director-General, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, had expressed worry over the increasing cases of insecurity and piracy attacks in the GoG and had had series of meetings with stakeholders aimed at arriving at measures to stem the trend.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
