Tension as Britania-U facility exploded in Niger Delta

By Peters Monday, Abuja

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reported a fire incident on the Britania-U drilling vessel at Ajakpa Field (OML 90), 10.77 nautical miles south of Forcados Terminal in Delta State. The incident occurred on July 18, 2024.

The statement reads, “Fortunately, all 19 crew members on board were successfully rescued and evacuated thanks to the collaborative efforts of NIMASA, other responding agencies, and first responders”, the management added

However, the NIMASA had set up an incident command center to prepare a situation-based response plan to mitigate potential oil spillage or environmental impact. The Agency’s Marine Accident Investigation Unit had also launched an investigation into the causes of the incident, and the findings will be published and implemented accordingly.

“The swift response and successful rescue operation ensure the safety of the crew and minimize potential environmental damage”, the statement emphasised.