By Evelyn Usman

The Nigerian Navy, NN has acquired a new hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel ,NNS LANA , to replace the previous one which was decommissioned ten years ago, with a view to enhancing safety of the nation’s maritime security as well as in the Gulf of Guinea.

It took delivery of the new offshore survey vessel 190 LANA, from French Shipyard, OCEA , in Saint Nazaire, France ,last Thursday, after the provisional acceptance trials were concluded.

The new NNS LANA is expected among other benefits, will enable the Nigerian Navy to have a better knowledge of its maritime territory and its Exclusive Economic Zone; enhance coastal and deep sea scientific research and studies; provide assistance and supplies to other boats, as well as helicopter winching and towing of ships.

Speaking at the Flag Transfer ceremony in France , the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi , disclosed that LANA was launched in September 2020, explaining that the NN’s choice of OCEA to carry the contract followed an international call for tenders for the acquisition of a hydrographic research vessel and associated logistical support services.

The Minister who was represented by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said, “ The provision of survey services and charting place a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation as well as delivery of maritime security. Hence, this vessel will not only enhance the safety of Nigerians 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 o f maritime resources and preservation of law and order at sea, thus, contributing significantly to promotion of global maritime commerce”.

The construction of OSV 190 MKII, according to him, commenced in Dec 2019. He said the project was divided into four major milestones which were “ the completion of the deck molds, completion of hull blocks, hull assembly on the main deck and the delivery and installation of the main engines at the shipyard. These milestones were the benchmarks which determined the level of work achieved at each stage of the project. The building process was successfully completed and the Ship was launched on September 24 , 2020 at Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The new Ship with a visual call sign A499 was named NNS LANA apparently conceived as a rebirth of the former Nigeria Navy Ship LANA (A498) which was decommissioned”.

He further explained that NNS LANA (A499) was designed and purposely built to enable the NN to conduct hydrographic and oceanographic surveys.

According to him, “ 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 and one emergency, 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.

“For security, the ship would be equipped with 30 mm and 2×12.7 mm guns upon arrival in Nigeria. NNS LANA was handed over to the NN in France on January 15, 2021, after the provisional acceptance trials were concluded. The crew training commenced in January 2021 and ended on April 12,201”, He explained.

The change of flag ceremony, according to him, marked the vessel’s readiness to embark on her maiden homebound voyage to Nigeria and expected to join the NN Fleet in May 2021.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment towards the recapitalization of the Nigerian Navy Ship, the Minister, expressed optimism that the rebirth of NNS LANA would afford the NN Hydrographic Department the leverage to successfully and systematically conduct hydrographic surveys and charting of Nigeria’s waters.

He said, “It would also afford Nigeria 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 deliberate and sustained policies on maritime safety and security”, he stated.

To carry out its missions, the ship, on arrival in Nigeria as gathered, would be equipped with high-performance technical and scientific means among which are: a deep water multibeam echosounder, a single beam depth-water sounder, side scan sonar, current meter, means of sampling, storage and analysis of water, fish and sediment.

Other technical and scientific means are :Laboratory hardware and software and an 8 metres hydrographic boat equipped for data surveys along the coasts in small and very shallow waters.

Dignitaries at the event included: the Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Irele, representative of the French Navy, Vice Admiral Oliver Lebas; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awal Gambo, who represented the Minister of Defence; the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Roland Joasrard and representative of the Ministry of Defence, Major General Benson Akinrotuyo.