Nigerian Navy’s newest Offshore Survey Vessel, NNS LANA has departed Lisbon, Portugal for Las Palmas, Spain on the second leg of its homeward voyage to Nigeria on 23rd April, 2021.
The Ship it was learnt, will be received by a Nigerian Navy delegation headed by Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere and officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain.
The vessel which is expected to arrive Las Palmas, Spain on 27th April, before proceeding to Banjul, Gambia, was recently added to the Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS), after the Navy took delivery of it in Saint Nazaire, France.
Security Watch Africa reports that being the Nigerian Navy’s first ever purpose built Offshore Survey Vessel, the new vessel was conceived as a replacement to the previous NNS LANA, a survey ship that was decommissioned about 10 years ago.
“Notably, the construction of the Offshore Survey Vessel 190 MKII (NNS LANA) commenced in December 2019 and the building process was successfully completed and the ship was launched on 24 September 2020 at Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
“NNS LANA (A499) is designed and purposely built to enable the NN 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.
“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 machineries include 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 minimize distortion of data due to machinery noise. The Ship has a maximum speed of 14 knots and a capacity of 50 crew. It is envisaged that the rebirth of NNS LANA would afford the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Department the leverage to successfully and systematically conduct hydrographic surveys and charting of Nigeria’s waters.
“It would also afford Nigeria with the opportunity of keying into the General Bathymetric Charts of the Oceans (GEBCO) Seabed 2030 project and the Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) synthesis project which would ultimately facilitate Nigeria’s accomplishment of its obligation under SOLAS Convention in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s deliberate and sustained policies on maritime safety and security,” a statement by NN spokesperson Suleiman Dahun said.