ill- fated Panama-flagged oil rig operating illegally on Nigerian waters since 2016 – NIMASA Investigations shows
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have discovered that the Ill-fated Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State, has been operating illegally since 2016 on Nigerian waters with the requisite approval.
The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed when it was being towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State.
Notwithstanding its illegal status, NIMASA, in line with its statutory mandate which includes safe shipping and cleaner oceans, has quickly dispatched a team comprising Search and Rescue and marine accident investigators to the scene of the incident to rescue the capsized oil rig and its trapped crew.
NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the incident scene.
In addition, the Agency said it communicated with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited, the chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incident within 24 hours in line with the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 provisions.
