Green Dolphin:NIMASA detains ship, as war against illegal operation begins

THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA made good its pledge to rid the nation's waters of unwholesome activities as it, last week, pounced on an alleged strayed vessel, the MT Green Dolphin, and forcefully detained it for 'operating illegally on Nigerian waters'.The NIMASA Director-General, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, who approved the detention order said his decision was based on 'security report' made available to him by officials of the agency's Maritime Guard Command, who worked closely with officers of the Nigerian Navy.'The ship which was anchored at about four nautical miles south of the Lagos Fairway Buoy, was apprehended by NIMASA officials requesting to carry out a Flag State Control checked on the vessel' he disclosed, noting that his men had to invite the navy, when operators of the vessel denied them access.'The NIMASA team requested support from the Nigerian Navy after the crew refused them access to the vessel. The naval officers who responded promptly assisted in detaining the vessel and allowed NIMASA officials to gain access to carry out Flag State Control checks on the vessel which was laden with AGO (diesel).'Preliminary report shows that MT Green Dolphin poses security risk to the country as it did not meet up with Flag State requirement. MT Green Dolphin will remain under detention while further investigation continues' he further revealed, stressing that with the decisive step, the agency had now entered into a new phase where illegal operators in the Nigerian waters must realise that the tea party was over.The Director-General also confirmed the agency actually rescued 10 sea farers, out of the MT Jacksonville, the 50,000 ton vessel which was gutted by fire recently.
Click here to read full news..