Barely a week after visiting Lagos to discuss inland waterway safety and other issues, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has delivered a new search and rescue ambulance boat to the Lagos Area Office.
This is part of measures to enhance the agency’s safety operations whenever mishaps occur on the waterways within the area and beyond.
NIWA Managing, Dr. George Moghalu revealed this Monday in a press statement. According to him, the move is a strategic fulfilment of one of the critical suggestions made by the maritime media at a recent parley in Lagos.
The new watercraft which is fitted with amber lights and two 175 Horse Power engines made by Yamaha, with cream colour leather interior, fitted with medical equipment, first aid boxes, communication system, and stretchers, will form a platform for rapid response to accidents on Lagos waterways.
Rugged and built to ferry accident victims and those who require immediate medical attention to the nearest hospital and Medical Hold Bay, the ambulance watercraft can travel at controlled timing without being buffeted by high impact waves.
Lagos waterways has busiest watercraft traffic year round with heritage operators and water users targeted for safety advocacy by NIWA Lagos area office which has deployed its task force to curb mishaps on the waterways .
