Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announced it will share its findings on the recent helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This follows the successful recovery of the helicopter’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), commonly known as the black box, through an extensive inter-agency effort.
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA’s Director General, expressed gratitude for the coordinated response from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), HydroDive, and other search and rescue partners.
He commended these organizations for their swift action in the search and recovery operations, saying, “By sharing the findings of the offshore Port Harcourt helicopter crash with the IMO, we at NIMASA demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the global maritime community.”
In compliance with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will submit its report via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), an online platform developed by the IMO for incident reporting. This initiative aims to enhance global safety protocols and strengthen international maritime partnerships.
According to Mobereola, NIMASA remains committed to collaborating with relevant agencies to determine the cause of the incident and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. “As we mourn those lost, NIMASA reaffirms its dedication to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain and the continued strengthening of inter-agency collaboration,” he said.
The incident occurred on October 24, when NIMASA’s Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the Deep Blue project’s C4i center received distress signals. The Nigerian Navy promptly deployed NIMASA’s specialized search and rescue teams to the site, located 1.4 km from the starboard side of the Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) unit, owned by NUIM ANTAN Producing Ltd and operated by NNPC Limited. The crashed helicopter, a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N BQG, was extensively searched, and 80% of the wreckage has been recovered.
Among the items salvaged are the helicopter’s rotor blades, engine, gearbox, cockpit overhead panels, and the Electronic Locator Transmitter (ELT). These items are now stored on a barge as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Director-General also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the NNPC, stating, “Our deepest sympathies are with the NNPC, the families, and loved ones of those affected by this unfortunate incident. Safety is a paramount commitment for us at NIMASA, and we remain resolute in our partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders to ensure effective, rapid response in emergencies.”
As the investigation continues, NIMASA’s efforts underscore Nigeria’s dedication to upholding maritime safety and fostering strong international cooperation in response to maritime incidents.