|
Battle against
Illegal Bunkering:NIMASA Arrests MT ORT AKOY 1…
Traces
Missing Vessel
To A
Ghanaian
Ship Yard
Newsdiaryonline Wed Oct 5,2011(Updated with picture)
MT
ORTAKOY
1 Vessel arrested by NIMASA
The
Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency, NIMASA, has issued a stern warning to all those who
engage in illegal business in the nation’s territorial waters to
desist from such acts henceforth.
This warning comes on the heel of the arrest and detention of
a Vessel MT ORTAKOY 1
for engaging in illegal business on Nigerian waters.
According to a
statement by
Hajia Lami Tumaka
head, public relations
NIMASA,the
arrest of MT ORTAKOY was triggered off when
the Joint Nigeria-Benin
Maritime Patrol Task Force officers on patrol spotted two
vessels alongside each other carrying out suspicious activities
close to the Nigeria/Benin Boarder.
The
Agency’s Deputy Director Maritime Safety, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh
and the Head Maritime Guard Command, Navy Captain Aina led the
NIMASA team that carried out Preliminary investigations which
revealed that MT ORTAKOY had Fuel Oil and Automative Gas Oil
onboard and was not seaworthy as it was trading without valid
certificates amongst other deficiencies.
The
Agency’s Director General, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi had
restated his commitment to safeguarding Nigerian coastal area
through effective collaboration with the Nigerian Navy
when some vessels were arrested last month for alledgedly
engaging in illegal bunkering activities.
The
arrest of MT ORTAKOY brings to four, the number of vessels
arrested for operating illegaly in Nigerian waters within the
past four weeks.
Also,a
Motor Tanker Vessel,
MT KEMEPADE which was reported missing from the Lagos
anchorage on Wednesday 28th September2011
has been found
in a Ship Yard at Tema
Habour in Ghana with the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) number wipped off.
The
Vessel, which was reported missing by the owner had one sailor
on board at the time of the incident.
In
line with her statutory responsibilities to ensure safety and
security of ships
on Nigerian waters, the Management of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, requested shipping in
the area via radio to report sighting.
Aside
of deploying Automatic Identification Tracking System (AIS),the
Agency also collaborated with neigbouring countries such as
Togo, Liberia and Benin through their
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs) to enhance
the search operation.
Five days later, the Vessel was found in a Ship Yard at Tema
Habour in Ghana with the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) number completely wipped off.
While
the Agency is yet to determin the fate of the sole crew member
onboard at the time of dissapearance, NIMASA is liaising with
Ghanian Authorities for further investigation.
|
