There are indications that the recently constituted National Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Committee is planning to seek the cooperation of major oil firms with appropriate equipment to support rescue activities in cases of maritime mishaps.
This indication was given last week in Lagos by the Chairman of the training arm of the SAR Committee, Cdr. Eliyasu Bako (rtd) after the quarterly meeting of the committee. The sub-committee is expected to meet in March to work out modalities towards meeting the major oil firms in their areas of operations.
The major oil firms are: Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron Texaco Nigeria Ltd, Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd and Agip Energy & Natural Resources Nigeria Ltd.
Bako, an Assistant Director, SAR & Emergency Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said the meeting of the training sub-committee would lead to a national sensitisation programme for major oil firms on Search and Rescue operations.
He was hopeful that after the sensitisation programme, the major oil companies would allow the committee to visit their respective safety infrastructural facilities and see other safety assets like tug boats, helicopters and operational rooms.
Bako said the major oil companies should be willing to meet the stakeholders so that in periods of emergencies they would avail the SAR Committee the use of their equipment.
He said the major oil firms should also be able to assist the maritime volunteer groups in their locations who should be the first to reach scenes of maritime mishaps for rescue operations.
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