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Nigerian Navy Takes Delivery Of New Offshore Hydrographic Survey Vessel In France
The Nigerian Navy recently took delivery of a new offshore survey vessel, NNS LANA, in Saint Nazaire, France.
A statement by Nigerian Navy said the vessel was the first-ever purpose-built offshore survey vessel for the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking at the flag transfer ceremony, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), represented by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, stated that the new vessel was conceived as a replacement to the previous NNS LANA, a survey ship that was decommissioned about 10 years ago.
Magashi, who was the special guest of honour at the event, added that the occasion marked a great milestone in the fulfilment of the dream of not only replacing but enhancing Nigerian Navy’s survey capability.
The statement issued by the Naval Spokesman, Commodore Suleman Dahun, said the new vessel was expected to fill the void created following the decommissioning of the previous NNS LANA.
Highlighting the import of having a survey vessel like NNS LANA, the minister said the survey services and charting waterways played a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation as well as delivery of maritime security.
“NNS LANA will not only enhance the safety of Nigeria’s maritime environment but the ship will serve as a critical component in the projection of naval power for enhanced maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“It will also play a critical role in the protection of maritime resources and preservation of law and order at sea, thus contributing significantly to the promotion of global maritime commerce”, he said.
He, therefore thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards the recapitalisation of the Nigerian Navy Fleet.
The minister also commended Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Mrs. Modupe Irele, the management and staff of Messrs OCEA and others who have contributed towards the change of flag ceremony.
The new ship with a visual call sign A499 was named NNS LANA apparently conceived as a rebirth of the former Nigerian Navy Ship LANA (A498) which was decommissioned.
It said the new NNS LANA (A499) was designed and purposely built to enable the NN to conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys.
“It is also capable of conducting geophysical studies, search and rescue operations as well as patrol duties.
The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art modern survey equipment as well as a well-equipped 7.6m surface vehicle for shallow water surveys”, it said.
Furthermore, the ship has an Automatic Weather Station (AWS), wet and dry laboratories, scientific and technical workshops as well as operating and processing rooms for survey data.
The machinery includes 2 x MTU engines, 3 x CAT main generators/one emergency generator, electric propulsion system and other auxiliaries. The electric propulsion which is operated at survey speed is particularly installed to minimise distortion of data due to machinery noise.
The Ship has a maximum speed of 14 knots and a capacity of 50 crew.
NNS LANA was handed over to the Nigerian Navy in France on 15 January 2021 after the provisional acceptance trials was concluded.
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