The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has said that there is no casualty in last week’s fire incident involving Britania U, a drilling platform, as all the 19 crew onboard were successfully evacuated.

Meanwhile the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has directed relevant departments to set up an Incident Command Centre to ensure proper follow-up, monitoring and evaluation.

According to a statement by the Head, Public Relations Unit of the Agency, Osagie Edward, NIMASA collaborated with other relevant stakeholders including sister organisations to carry out the rescue operations.

Recall that the Agency had Thursday, July 18, 2024 received signals from the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center RMRCC Lagos, that Britania U, a drilling platform was under distress at Ajakpa Field, (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles South of Forcadoes Terminal in Delta State, Nigeria.

The statement reads in part: “All the 19 crew members onboard the ill-fated Britania 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.

“The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola has set up an Incident Command Centre 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 immediate and remote causes of this unfortunate mishap. The outcome of the investigation will be published and recommendations arising therefrom implemented.”