Whereabouts Of 10 Crew Members Of FPSO Vessel Shrouded In Mystery As SEPCOL Insists ‘No Recorded Fatality’

BIGPENNGR reports this is after the management of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL) in receivership, owners of the FPSO vessel, on Saturday, insisted that no fatality have been established in the unfortunate incident.

Multiple reports, quoting industry sources had said that about three crew members of the vessel, were rescued alive and three death confirmed so far as of Thursday when rescue operations was still ongoing.

SEPCOL’S management, in an earlier statement had confirmed that ten crew members were onboard the vessel which went up in flame in Ukpokiti, near Ugborodo (Escravos) offshore location in Warri South-west local government area of Delta State.

In a subsequent update released to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, on Saturday, SEPCOL’S Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ikemefuna Okafor, disclosed that the raging fire which engulfed the vessel burnt out completely on Thursday.

He said that with the latest development, the site is now ready for the Joint Investigation Visit, (JIV) with relevant authorities, industry experts and agencies including the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, NOSDRA, NUPRC, SPDC and people in the community.

He said that the JIV with the relevant authorities and stakeholders was launched this Saturday to unravel the remote cause of the fire, and establish the whereabout of the crew members.

While maintaining that ‘there are still no reported fatalities’, Okafor said that the company has prioritize the investigation, especially to establish the whereabout, safety and security of the ten crew members.

His words; “We can confirm that the fire burnt out completely as of Thursday afternoon, 3rd Feb. 2022, and this has enabled closer inspection of the vessel. With this development, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) has been scheduled for Saturday, 5th February 2022, with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations.

“Currently, there are still no reported fatalities, and we continue prioritising investigations with respect to establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the ten crew members who were on board the vessel prior to the incident.

“We appreciate the assistance provided us by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, NOSDRA, NUPRC, SPDC and people in the community, particularly the fishermen, who have been of immense assistance since the incident occurred.

“Members of the public should continue to keep away from the area while our Crisis Management Team monitors developments in the investigations and update all stakeholders with new information accordingly”, he added.