Insecurity: NIMASA Demands SRPA From Ship Captains
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has compelled all ship captains to submit the Security-Related Pre-Arrival Information (SRPA)forms to the agency not later than 48 hours before the ship’s arrival at any Nigerian port.
The agency has also introduced new measures to check security threats in the Nigerian maritime domain and deter persons who may seek illegal means of entry into the country as stowaways.
Its Assistant Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward said in a statement that under the new procedures,
Osagie said: “Ship Captains are also required to exchange the Declaration of Security (DoS) with the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) of their next port of call not later than 72 hours before the ship’s arrival at that port for conveyance to NIMASA within 48 hours.
“Additionally, all ships are to maintain 24 hours vigilance and surveillance to detect strange movements, including small boats and skiffs that may not be captured by radar.
“Other measures include proper pre-departure search and completion of pre-departure form before departure from any port; switching on Automatic Identification Systems (AIS); close monitoring of communication channels and response to any VHF call from the Nigerian Navy or the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC).”
Also, the Director General of the agency, Bashir Jamoh, said that the measures were consistent with the strategy of trying to keep one step ahead of the pirates, armed robbers, and anyone or anything that poses a danger to the country’s maritime domain and Nigeria, in general.
He noted that the procedures were easy to follow and deliberate steps had been taken to make the reporting process seamless, all for the good of the ship operators and the international shipping community.
Bashir stressed: “They are in keeping with NIMASA’s statutory mandate to provide maritime security and implement special actions to enhance security in line with the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations, ICIR, 2014.”
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