Investigative Analysis of Marine Tugboat Accident in Nigeria. A Case Study of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State

Abstract

The research paper showed that the major causes of boat and ferry accidents in Nigeria include human factor errors, natural factors, and technical factors. The safety of life and navigation at sea are important to coastal, flag states and the entire international shipping community in sustaining the growth of global sea trade. National governments and indeed the Federal government of Nigeria have committed substantial resources and efforts on programmes aimed at reducing the incidence of accident involving marine vessels at sea. The primary causes of boat and ferry accident considered in this paper include human, natural, and technical factors. Human factor constitutes the core causes of boat and ferry accidents in Nigeria inland waterways, as reflected in the calculated value of X2 = (0.368), a value within the acceptance region as it is less than the theoretical value of X2 = (7.815). The human factors include the following: overloading, over speeding, collision, night sailing without adequate light, grounding, overcrowding etc. Natural factors investigated are: sea condition (current), tides and tidal stream, severe wind, reduced visibility, stormy seas, darkness, rainstorms and waves. Technical factors include shortcomings within the ship, such as, steering failure, engine failure, corrosion or hull failure arising from defective materials or construction. These findings have implication on regulation and enforcement by relevant authorities. In view of the findings and conclusion drawn in this study, it was suggested that Government should support these agencies such as NIWA, Marine Police, NIMASA, and the Nigeria Navy if possible with equipment’s, logistics in policing the waterway