Nigerian Navy to receive AgustaWestland AW139 SAR helicopter from NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has renewed the security Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Nigerian Navy. Speaking at the official handing over ceremony of its AgustaWestland AW139 Search and Rescue helicopter, Executive Director, NIMASA’s Operation, Mr Rotimi Fashakin, confirmed the development adding that the partnership with the Navy has been very effective, effectual and strong.

Peterside Dakuku noted that “We have done a renewal of the MoU and it has helped to give NIMASA the needed teeth to bite within the Nigerian maritime space. Navy has been a great partner so we had no hesitation in renewing the partnership, so we are into the second decade of the MoU”.

The Commandant of the Nigerian Navy in Ojo, Lagos, Rear Admiral M M Kadiri, said that part of the terms of the MoU is for NMASA and the Navy to collaborate for better governance of the Nigerian maritime space. The AgustaWestland AW139 Rescue helipcopter was acquired by NIMASA in 2007 as part of the agency’s effort to effectively carry out its aerial surveillance functions.

The AgustaWestland AW139 Helicopter

The AgustaWestland AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter, It can undertake several different roles, including VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol