BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Amid challenging sea conditions, the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has reported the retrieval of five bodies from the Atlantic Ocean after a Sikorsky SK76 helicopter with registration 5N BQG, operated by Eastwind Aviation helicopter, ditched into the sea at Bonny Finima on October 24 and claimed the lives of the eight people on board.
NSIB in a statement signed by Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIB’s Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, said that the search teams remain resolute, pressing forward with recovery efforts to locate the three remaining victims and uncover details surrounding the tragic event.
According to her, Wednesday’s efforts have yielded the following updates:
“09:35 AM: HD Steadfast vessel identified a body in the water.
Recovery actions were initiated by deploying the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) for retrieval of the body.
“09:40 AM: Antan HSE and Security teams were contacted to coordinate an evacuation plan.
“09:55 AM, Eastwind Aviation was contacted to explore possible air ambulance support from Caverton Aviation.
“10:40 AM: HD Steadfast deployed a drone to conduct an extended aerial search of the area to locate additional floating objects or bodies.
“10:45 AM: Sea conditions presented challenges to the FRC crew for recovery. Coordination with HD Steadfast allowed the team to use its crane to retrieve the body safely and transfer it to the FPSO deck, despite inclement weather.
“10:49 AM: Following Eastwind’s notification that air ambulance providers were unavailable, NSIB engaged the Nigerian Navy for logistical support.
“11:15 AM: The body was successfully retrieved by the FRC and prepared for transfer to the FPSO deck.
“11:41 AM: An identification process commenced; while no clothing was found on the body, investigators examined specific characteristics for identity confirmation.
“12:49 PM: The Nigerian Navy was contacted to assist with body evacuation to land.
“1:08 PM: Eastwind Aviation provided crew photographs to support physical identification, which were forwarded to the field superintendent and Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) for verification.
“2:44 PM: The mortician arrived at the Nigerian Air Force base and was escorted to the Navy base by the Antan Flight Coordinator to prepare for the transport of the remains.
“8:00 PM: Divers encountered fragments of clean fibreglass and aluminium, likely from the aircraft.
These findings will guide the search grid’s adjustments as NSIB aims to intensify recovery operations within the accident vicinity”, she explained.
The NSIB Spokesperson added that divers have remained active, coordinating thorough seabed and surface searches based on recent information about the crash site’s possible location.
She added that permutations incorporating tidal flow direction, strength, and timing indicate the helicopter likely entered the water approximately 1,850 meters west of the initial body recovery area were being perfected.
“The search was relocated accordingly, but no signal from the locator beacon was detected at this position. The team has since moved closer to the FPSO, where beacon signals were previously received.
“NSIB has mobilised two vessels equipped with side-scan sonar to broaden the search range. Four additional side-scan sonar units are en route from Port Harcourt and will be deployed tomorrow morning to enhance search coverage.
“A total of five bodies have been recovered so far, though the fifth body recovered today requires specialised handling due to its decomposed state before being transported to the morgue”, she stated.
According to her, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., commended the collaborative efforts underway, stating; “The recovery operation presents unique challenges due to the environmental conditions, but our team and partners are dedicated to bringing this mission to completion with utmost professionalism and care.
“We are grateful for the coordinated support from everyone involved in this recovery effort, including the Nigerian Navy, in ensuring a respectful recovery process. Our primary objective remains to uncover information that will fully explain the circumstances of this accident, and our thoughts continue to be with the families affected.”
Oladeji emphasised the Bureau’s commitment to a thorough recovery and investigation, affirming that it would maintain close collaboration with national and international partners.
She reiterated that these efforts were integral to the Bureau’s mandate to strengthen transportation safety across Nigeria.
