Report Calls for Establishment of Maritime Search and Rescue Guard Following Boat Mishaps

Following a series of boat accidents in Nigeria, there are calls for the creation of a Maritime Search and Rescue Guard (MSG) to address the situation. This proposal was part of a study report by the General Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Tammy Fiberesima, titled ‘Memorandum to the Secretariat, Ministerial Committee to Review Search and Rescue Operation in Nigerian Inland Waterways’. The report suggested that the Maritime SAR Guard should be run by NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The study also proposed the establishment of an Interdepartmental Committee on Search and Rescue (ICSAR) to ensure effective national coordination and delivery of SAR. Members of the committee would include various ministries, agencies, and organizations, such as the ministries of Aviation, Water Resources, and Environment, as well as the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Ports Authority, and National Emergency Management Agency.

The report also recommended the creation of a National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSARS) to support and advise the Lead Minister of SAR, coordinate the National Search and Rescue Programme, and chair the ICSAR. Additionally, the report proposed the establishment of a Department of National Defence and Transport (DNDT) to coordinate the National SAR Programme and develop SAR policies in conjunction with other ministries. Fiberesima also suggested the involvement of the National Defence and Transport Department in delivering primary air SAR support and coordinating the activities of civil Air Search and Rescue associations.

Source .