The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced that it will share findings from its investigation into the recent helicopter crash near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This update comes after a successful inter-agency collaboration, which led to the recovery of the helicopter’s black box this weekend. The operation involved multiple agencies, including NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), HydroDive, and both local and international search and rescue partners.
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, praised the coordinated response and affirmed that NIMASA will report the incident through the IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), an international platform for timely sharing of maritime safety information. “By sharing the findings of the offshore Port Harcourt helicopter crash with the IMO, we at NIMASA demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the global maritime community,” Mobereola stated.
The helicopter, identified as a Sikorsky SK76 with registration 5N BQG, crashed on October 24, 2024, 1.4 kilometers from the starboard side of the Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) unit owned by NNPC Limited. NIMASA’s Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the C4i center of the Deep Blue project initially received distress signals, which were immediately relayed to the Nigerian Navy. This prompted a swift deployment of specialized search and rescue assets, successfully locating the aircraft and undertaking recovery efforts in challenging conditions.
In addition to the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), recovery teams retrieved several other critical components, including the rotor, three blades, engine, gearbox, cockpit panels, and the Electronic Locator Transmitter (ELT). These parts are now secured on a dump barge, with over 80% of the helicopter wreckage recovered.
Mobereola expressed condolences to NNPC Limited and the families of the victims, reinforcing NIMASA’s commitment to the safety of Nigeria’s maritime domain. He emphasized the importance of continued inter-agency collaboration to strengthen rapid response capabilities during emergencies.
This initiative by NIMASA not only aligns with international safety standards but also reaffirms Nigeria’s dedication to global maritime safety. The data shared with the IMO will support further efforts to enhance protocols and prevent similar incidents in the future.