Helicopter crash: NIMASA to share information with IMO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it will share its findings on the recent helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean, near Bonny Finima in Rivers State, with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said this in a statement by the Head of the Public Relations Directorate of the agency, Mr Edward Osagie, in Lagos on Sunday.

Mobereola said a Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder CVR otherwise known as the ‘Black Box’ was recovered at the weekend through an inter-agency collaboration.

He said the collaboration includes NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), NNPC, and HydroDive along with other local and international search and rescue partners.

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He noted that NIMASA would share information on the incident with the IMO.

“In line with international maritime safety standards, NIMASA will report the findings about the helicopter crash into the Atlantic Ocean to the International Maritime Organisation via the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

“By sharing the findings of the off-shore Port Harcourt helicopter crash with the IMO, NIMASA demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation within the global maritime community.

“The Global Integrated Shipping Information System is an online platform developed by the IMO to support the timely and accurate reporting of incidents, accidents, and other essential maritime data.

“This platform enables member-states to share information crucial to improving safety protocols, updating best practices, and fostering international cooperation,” Mobereola said.

According to him, NIMASA is committed to working closely with all relevant agencies to determine the cause of the incident and to take all necessary steps to prevent future occurrences.

He said that the collaboration between NIMASA and other local as well as international search and rescue partners recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) from the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG.

Mobereola said with the recovery of the ‘Black Box’, over 80 per cent of the helicopter wreck had been recovered.

The other recovered items include the rotor, three blades, engine, gearbox, windows, cockpit overhead panels, the Electronic Locator Transmitter (ELT) and the tail.