Navy Rescues 20 Crew After Fire Guts Vessel Along Calabar Channel
The Nigerian Navy on Monday rescued 20 crew members from a cargo vessel, MV Chimba Express, following a fire outbreak along the Calabar Channel, averting what could have been a major maritime disaster.
The rescue was carried out by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE, which was on routine patrol when it received a distress call at about 1:00 pm from the distressed vessel. MV Chimba Express was reportedly en route from Gabon to Calabar, conveying scrap materials and other logistics, with a total of 21 persons on board.
On arrival at the scene, naval personnel observed thick smoke billowing from the vessel, which had already forced several crew members to abandon ship, while others remained trapped on deck. In a swift response, the NNS OSE deployed life buoys and conducted emergency rescue operations, successfully pulling 20 crew members to safety and administering first aid.
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The rescued crew comprised 14 Nigerians and seven Cameroonians. However, the vessel’s Chief Engineer, who reportedly jumped into the water for fear of an imminent explosion, remains missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the missing crew member.
To contain the situation, NNS OSE deployed portable pumps to combat the fire, which affected the midship and aft sections of the vessel. The rescue and firefighting efforts were reinforced by personnel from Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen in the area.
Speaking on behalf of the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander K. K. Ahunanya, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to the safety of seafarers and the protection of maritime assets.
He said the successful rescue underscores the Navy’s resolve to uphold maritime safety and respond promptly to emergencies at sea, in line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
The incident highlights the critical role of naval patrols in safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways and ensuring rapid response to maritime emergencies along key shipping routes.
By PRNigeria
