By OLADAPO UDOM

The Nigerian Navy on Thursday deployed seven ships and two helicopters to provide effective maritime search and rescue services on Nigerian waters.

The deployment includeincludeed other facilities and a patrol vessel of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan, flagged off the operation code named `Exercise Swift Response’, onboard the Nigerian Navy Ship, KADA.

Hassan said that the exercise was to provide effective maritime search and rescue services to reduce loss of lives and properties.

“This exercise involves the deployment of suitable naval assets, equipped for maritime disaster management operations.

“The exercise is aimed at contributing to the safety of lives at sea in Nigeria’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea by providing prompt and timely response to maritime accidents,” he said.

According to him, it will also serve as an opportunity to evaluate the command’s disaster management capabilities and add value to the Chief of Naval Staff’s aspiration for improved operational readiness of the Nigerian Navy.

Hassan said the exercise would involve the training of personnel in the new tactic of triangulating and prosecuting rogue vessels at sea.

“The exercise will afford ships in the western fleet the opportunity to reevaluate their information sharing capabilities through effective communication and also test their capabilities for carrying out rescue missions at sea.

“It will also equally assess the capabilities of the Nigerian Navy in surveillance and special air operations, among others,” the FOC said. (NAN)

•FOC Western Naval Command Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan (Right) with the FOC, Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Adm. Habilla Zakaria

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