Seplat rig accident: NIMASA dispatches search and rescue team

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it has dispatched a team comprising of Search and Rescue and marine accident investigation officers to the scene of the incident involving the Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State.

Seplat Energy, which contracted the rig had earlier on Tuesday announced that one person died and three others were missing as the drilling rig collapsed.

A statement by Head, Public Relations Officer, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, said the move by the Agency is in line with the mandate of NIMASA, which includes safe shipping and cleaner oceans.

Osagie said initial findings confirmed that the ill-fated Rig is Panama Flagged and has been operating on Nigerian waters since 2016 without requisite approvals from the Agency.

“The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed where it was been towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State.

“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 scene of the incident,” he said.

Osagie added that NIMASA is in communication with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited, chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incidence within 24 hours in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.