The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), working with officials of Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, rescued occupants of a distressed fishing vessel belonging to a national of São Tomé Príncipe, which was adrift in the ocean for 11 days.
A rescue team from Total Energies Nigeria Limited noticed the distressed vessel at sea around Offshore Operational Field, OML 100, and immediately sent signals to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, RMRCC, located in NIMASA, informing the Agency of the situation.
In line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) protocol, the Total team promptly initiated a rescue operation and immediately handed over the occupants of the distressed vessel to NIMASA, while the boat was anchored at OSHE HONMI (OML 100).
The Agency has, through its Search and Rescue SARS clinic, provided first aid, and later comprehensive medical attention to the distressed passenger who speaks only Portuguese and has since been handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service to ensure he returns to his country.