OCCURRENCE OF MARITIME ACCIDENTS IN NIGERIA’S TERRITORIAL WATERS

Abstract

Maritime accidents have often been attributed to many factors which limit maritime efficiency. Absolute control over these causative factors are not possible hence these accidents remain inevitable; however, their frequency of occurrence can be greatly reduced via many media one of which is through maritime accidents investigation and implementation of the findings. This research therefore looked into occurrence of maritime accidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters with focus on the coverage of the major maritime corridors of Lagos, Delta, Rivers and Cross-Rivers within the country’s shores. The research extensively used both primary and secondary sources. Primary data on maritime accidents were obtained through 36 questionnaires that were sampled on the entire staff of AIB; furthermore, data on maritime accidents for 72 months were also obtained from the department. The data were subsequently analysed using GIS, Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis and other descriptive tools. The spatial analysis revealed that Lagos had more incidences of maritime accidents due to higher volume of traffic hence the degree of serious loss in terms of fatality degree was higher than what is obtainable at other locations. The RII also revealed that non-availability of access and information (0.683) scored the highest in the ranking of the importance of maritime related factors that affect accidents; while delay in payment of fines (0.405) was rated low among these factors. The sailors and marine crew must be conscious of the weather as it affects effective maritime operation. Marginal incremental difference coupled with pilotage fee reveals that as revenue increases maritime accident is reducing at inverse proportion. The study recommends that all vessels must be properly registered with NIMASA/ National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and operates according to the laid-down procedures by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with regards to port state control.