The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has taken swift action by dispatching a rescue team and marine accident investigation officers to the site of the incident involving the Majestic Rig, owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited.
The rig capsised at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State, prompting NIMASA to respond in accordance with its mission of ensuring safe shipping and cleaner oceans.
Preliminary findings have revealed that the ill-fated rig is Panama-flagged and has been operating in Nigerian waters since 2016 without the necessary approvals from NIMASA. The ABS Classed inland water-drilling barge, measuring 232 feet in length and with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet, collapsed during its tow from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 to Ovhor 21, a site belonging to SEPLAT Oil in Delta State.
NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all international oil companies (IOCs) responsible for managing ‘Tier 2’ oil spills, to assess the extent of spillage at the incident site.
Furthermore, the agency is actively communicating with officials from SEPLAT Energy Limited, the charterers of the ill-fated rig. These officials are expected to formally report the occurrence within the stipulated 24-hour window, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Merchant Shipping Act of 2007.
