History has been made as the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, launched its first ever purpose built hydrographic survey vessel.
The launch of the first ever purpose built hydrographic survey vessel will help
enhance maritime safety in the Nigerian water and the Gulf of Guinea.
The new vessel, whose construction began in 2018, replaces the Nigerian Navy survey vessel- NNS LANA, which was decommissioned about ten years ago.
It is scheduled to join the Nigerian Navy fleet in 2021.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the OCEA Shipyard, France, Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said the feat marked a giant stride in efforts towards actualizing the dreams of not only restoring but enhancing Nigerian Navy’s survey capability.
Represented by Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, the CNS, hinted that surveying and charting played a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation as well as delivery of maritime security, Vanguard reports.
He also stated that the new vessel would not only enhance safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment but would also serve as a critical component of deployment of naval power for enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Adding that the vessel would also “play a critical role in protection of maritime resources and preservation of law and order at sea, thereby contributing significantly to the promotion of global maritime commerce”.
