The Nigerian Navy has rescued 20 crew members from a vessel that caught fire along the Calabar axis of the Oron–Calabar waterways in Cross River State.
The incident occurred on Monday when the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS OSE, responded to a distress call from Motor Vessel MV Chimba Express, which was travelling from Gabon to Calabar with scrap materials and other logistics on board.
According to a statement issued by the Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lieutenant Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, and made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the naval patrol ship received the distress alert at about 1:00 pm while on routine patrol in the area.
The statement disclosed that upon arrival at the scene, naval personnel observed thick smoke billowing from the vessel, prompting immediate rescue efforts.
“Crew members who had abandoned the vessel, as well as those stranded on deck, were rescued using life buoys,” the statement read.
Ahunanya said 20 crew members were successfully rescued and administered first aid.
He added that the vessel had a total of 21 crew members on board, comprising 14 Nigerians and seven Cameroonians.
He further revealed that the Chief Engineer of the vessel, who reportedly jumped into the water over fears of an explosion, is still missing, noting that search and rescue operations are ongoing.
The statement also noted that personnel from the Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, as well as local fishermen, assisted in the rescue operation.
It added that NNS OSE deployed portable pumps to combat the fire, which affected the midship and aft sections of the vessel.
Ahunanya reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety of seafarers and protecting maritime assets within the nation’s territorial waters, in line with the operational directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff.