Part of the wreckage of the crashed helicopter.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA has said it will share details of her findings from the helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima Island with the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.

The Agency has also attributed the recovery of the Flight Data Recorder FDR and Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR otherwise called the black box last weekend to synergy and inter-agency collaboration involving NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB, the NNPC, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners. 

Speaking on the incident, Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, commended all organs of government for the swift, and well-coordinated inter -agency partnership for the search and recovery operations. He noted that NIMASA will share information on the incident with the IMO.

“In line with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will report the findings about the helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean to the International Maritime Organisation IMO via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System GISIS. 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”, he said.

The Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) is an online platform developed by the IMO to support the timely and accurate reporting of incidents, accidents, and other essential maritime data. This platform enables member states to share information crucial to improving safety protocols, updating best practices, and fostering international cooperation.

According to Mobereola, “NIMASA is committed to working closely with all relevant Agencies to determine the cause of the incident and to take all necessary steps 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.

On October 24th 2024, the Agency had received distress signals at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, MRCC and the C4i Centre of the Deep Blue project and shared same with the Nigerian Navy who immediately deployed NIMASA’s specialised Search and rescue assets to the crash site to locate the downed aircraft and conduct recovery efforts under challenging conditions.

The helicopter crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near Bonny Finima, at a distance of 1.4km from the starboard side of the Floating Producing Storage Offloading FPSO, NUIM ANTAN Producing Ltd owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Limited.

NIMASA is working closely with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB, the NNPC, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners recovered the Flight Data Recorder FDR and Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG.

With the recovery of the black box, over 80per cent of the helicopter wreck has been recovered. Other items recovered include rotor, three blades, engine, gearbox, windows, cockpit overhead panels, the Electronic Locator, Transmitter ELT and the tail. All the recovered wreck is on a dump barge.

Meanwhile, the DG NIMASA has extended the Agency’s heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC Limited, the families of the victims, and all those affected by the tragic helicopter crash.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated, “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.”