A drilling platform belonging to Brittania-U, an indigenous oil exploration and production firm, caught fire 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State on Thursday.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which confirmed the incident, said officials at its Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center (RMRCC) in Lagos received signals about the incident from the drilling platform while it was distressed at the Ajakpa Field (OML 90).
“All 19 crew members onboard the ill-fated Brittania-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,” NIMASA said in a statement on Friday.
Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, 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,” the statement added.
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