Ghana Maritime Authority readies oil-spill vessel for deployment

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has completed a ten-day work-up training programme for the MV Esther Ocloo, a 40-metre multi-purpose oil-spill response vessel, to prepare it for active deployment. The training, conducted at the Sekondi Naval Base in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, aimed to test the ship's operational readiness and familiarize a joint crew of Navy personnel and GMA officers with the vessel's systems.

Dr. Ali Kamal-Deen, Director-General of the GMA, revealed that although the vessel was acquired in 2023 to protect Ghana's maritime environment and offshore oil and gas installations, it had remained uncrewed for three years. He noted that no attempts had been made to staff the ship until his current management assumed office and began working with the Ghana Navy to rectify the situation.

The vessel is now intended to be available for active deployment to meet regulatory mandates and protect the nation's offshore oil industry. Commodore Stephen Billins Nyam, Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, noted the significance of the structured training in determining the ship's readiness.