PICTORIAL: Navy Rescues 10 Crew Members From Distressed Vessel Off Calabar Waters

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that its personnel on Friday, 7 November 2025 rescued 10 crew members of a distressed vessel off Calabar Waters.

A statement by Navy spokesman, Cdre. A. Adams-Aliu said troops Forward Operating Base IBAKA, rescued the crew members of MV SEMA III, while enroute Calabar, Cross River State from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Adams-Aliu said the Base, acting on a distress call received around 8pm, deployed a naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump.

He explained that on arrival, the team discovered that the vessel was taking in water and promptly evacuated all occupants comprising one Cameroonian, one Equatorial Guinean and eight Nigerians, who were later received, debriefed, and catered for at FOB IBAKA until Saturday 8 November, 2025.

The Master of MV SEMA III expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for its the timely intervention and exceptional professionalism.

He said the successful rescue operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s renewed efforts under the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, to ensure maritime safety, protection of critical national assets, and promotion of lawful economic activities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.