Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration Key To Black Box Recovery – Mobereola
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will share findings from the recent helicopter crash near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), known as the ‘black box’, were recovered this weekend through collaborative efforts involving NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), NNPC, HydroDive and other local and international search and rescue partners.
Commenting on the incident, NIMASA’s director-general, Dr. Dayo Mobereola commended government agencies for their swift and coordinated response, noting that NIMASA will report findings to the IMO. “In line with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will report the helicopter crash findings to the IMO via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and cooperation within the global maritime community.”
The GISIS is an online platform developed by the IMO to support timely reporting of incidents, improving safety protocols and promoting international cooperation. Mobereola emphasised NIMASA’s dedication to working closely with all relevant agencies to determine the cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences. “As we mourn those lost, NIMASA reaffirms its dedication to safety in Nigeria’s maritime domain and strengthening inter-agency collaboration.”
On October 24, 2024, distress signals were received by NIMASA’s Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and the C4i centre of the ‘Deep Blue’ project. The Nigerian Navy was promptly alerted, deploying NIMASA’s specialised search and rescue assets to the crash site near Bonny Finima, located 1.4 km from the starboard side of the floating production storage offloading vessel NUIM ANTAN, owned by NNPC Limited.
NIMASA, in partnership with the Nigerian Navy, NSIB, NNPC, HydroDive and others, recovered the black box from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, along with 80 per cent of the wreckage, which included rotor blades, the engine, gearbox, cockpit panels and other components. These were safely transported to a dump barge.
Mobereola extended NIMASA’s condolences to NNPC, the families of the victims and all those affected by the crash. “Our sympathies are with NNPC and the families of those affected by this incident. Safety is a paramount commitment at NIMASA and we remain resolute in our partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders to ensure rapid response in emergencies,” he stated.
Oluchi Okorafor
