Connect with us
- New Zealand marine biologist Dr Kareen Schnabel of the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) used "unbelievable" many times on Sunday to describe her unique experience with her Chinese counterparts and the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Fendouzhe after his expedition to one of the deepest regions of the ocean on Sunday.
Schnabel and submersible pilots Deng Yuqing and Yuan Xin from the China Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences made the successful dive.
During the expedition, Schnabel and Deng became the first women to sink at Scholl Deep in the Kermadec Trench.
It was only the second crewed visit to explore the Scholl Deep of Kermadec Trench and came as part of a two-month scientific voyage aboard the IDSSE research vessel Tansuoyihao.
Scholl Deep is the deepest known point in the Kermadec Trench, more than 1,000 km northeast of New Zealand. The trench is more than 1,000 km long and its deepest point is deeper than the height of Mount Qomolangma.
Using the HOV Fendouzhe, the scientists collected deep-sea water samples, sediment, rock, biological samples, and environmental data.
Dr. Schnabel and the submersible pilots spent six hours at the bottom of the sea exploring Scholl Deep and the steep sides of the trench.
"Textbooks and pictures don't compare to experiencing light vanishing as you leave the ocean surface or seeing the seabed with your own eyes. The fine sediments were covered in tracks and we saw lots of small animals on the sea on the ground and in the water. It was shocking that there was still trash, like floats and fishing nets, even though we were more than 10,000m below sea level," Schnabel said.
The first leg of the voyage was completed after HOV Fendouzhe conducted 16 dives between 5,747m and 10,000m depth, in addition to the deployment of other independent samplers such as a lander, CTD (water sampler) and a gravity core.
"It is really exciting for both Chinese and New Zealand scientists to have the opportunity to comprehensively appreciate the complexity and diversity of the Kermadec Trench's geography and ecosystem," said Dr. Peng Xiaotong, leader of this IDSSE voyage.
"Taking rock samples, for example, offers us a unique opportunity to understand the nature of plate subduction and overlap, as well as the mechanism of initiation of subduction in the Kermadec Trench," Peng said.
"We saw very diverse seafloor communities, even at great depths, and discovered strange and rarely seen organisms, such as the upside-down anglerfish. As we go deeper into the trench, seafloor ecosystems become dominated by small organisms, which will need to be examined using light and electron microscopy on the ground."
Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong hailed the expedition as a journey of exploration, friendship and seeking cooperation, which provides an important platform for China-New Zealand marine collaboration.
This point was also echoed by Dr. Schnabel. "Fendouzhe is an amazing team that gives scientists from all over the world the opportunity to observe the environment like the Kermadec Trench. I hope that the scientific collaboration between the two countries will continue in the future." ■
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
The Chinese research vessel Tansuoyihao loaded with the human-occupied vehicle Fendouzhe docks at Queens Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand, on November 27, 2022. (/Guo Lei)
A marine organism is shown from the Fendouzhe human-occupied vehicle in deep water on November 7, 2022. ()
A marine organism is shown from the Fendouzhe human-occupied vehicle in deep water on November 14, 2022. ()
- New Zealand marine biologist Dr Kareen Schnabel of the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) used "unbelievable" many times on Sunday to describe her unique experience with her Chinese counterparts and the human-occupied vehicle (HOV) Fendouzhe after his expedition to one of the deepest regions of the ocean on Sunday.
Schnabel and submersible pilots Deng Yuqing and Yuan Xin from the China Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences made the successful dive.
During the expedition, Schnabel and Deng became the first women to sink at Scholl Deep in the Kermadec Trench.
It was only the second crewed visit to explore the Scholl Deep of Kermadec Trench and came as part of a two-month scientific voyage aboard the IDSSE research vessel Tansuoyihao.
Scholl Deep is the deepest known point in the Kermadec Trench, more than 1,000 km northeast of New Zealand. The trench is more than 1,000 km long and its deepest point is deeper than the height of Mount Qomolangma.
Using the HOV Fendouzhe, the scientists collected deep-sea water samples, sediment, rock, biological samples, and environmental data.
Dr. Schnabel and the submersible pilots spent six hours at the bottom of the sea exploring Scholl Deep and the steep sides of the trench.
"Textbooks and pictures don't compare to experiencing light vanishing as you leave the ocean surface or seeing the seabed with your own eyes. The fine sediments were covered in tracks and we saw lots of small animals on the sea on the ground and in the water. It was shocking that there was still trash, like floats and fishing nets, even though we were more than 10,000m below sea level," Schnabel said.
The first leg of the voyage was completed after HOV Fendouzhe conducted 16 dives between 5,747m and 10,000m depth, in addition to the deployment of other independent samplers such as a lander, CTD (water sampler) and a gravity core.
"It is really exciting for both Chinese and New Zealand scientists to have the opportunity to comprehensively appreciate the complexity and diversity of the Kermadec Trench's geography and ecosystem," said Dr. Peng Xiaotong, leader of this IDSSE voyage.
"Taking rock samples, for example, offers us a unique opportunity to understand the nature of plate subduction and overlap, as well as the mechanism of initiation of subduction in the Kermadec Trench," Peng said.
"We saw very diverse seafloor communities, even at great depths, and discovered strange and rarely seen organisms, such as the upside-down anglerfish. As we go deeper into the trench, seafloor ecosystems become dominated by small organisms, which will need to be examined using light and electron microscopy on the ground."
Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong hailed the expedition as a journey of exploration, friendship and seeking cooperation, which provides an important platform for China-New Zealand marine collaboration.
This point was also echoed by Dr. Schnabel. "Fendouzhe is an amazing team that gives scientists from all over the world the opportunity to observe the environment like the Kermadec Trench. I hope that the scientific collaboration between the two countries will continue in the future." ■
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has urged boat operators and ferry service providers to adhere to safety rules and regulations to avoid accidents.
Mrs Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine Operations, NIWA, made the appeal at the training of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) on Saturday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 120 boat operators and ferry service providers received training and certificates on safety on the inland waterways.
Egwuatu said that adherence to the rules and regulations safety would ensure the safety of all concerned on the waterways.
“If we don’t train them, don’t blame them because if they don’t know what is expected of them, there is no way they can adhere to the safety rules and regulations on the waterways.
“WABOTAN just came on board and I must say that they hit the ground running, their efforts to impact society are commendable.
“NIWA is always desirous of keeping the waterways accident free, we are ready to collaborate with anybody or association that is keeping into this endeavours as safety is everybody’s business both regulators, operators and the passengers,” she said.
Egwuatu advised other associations to bring up initiatives that would impact society noting that most of the accidents that happen on our waterways are caused by human errors.
“If we can catch operators for them to know what is expected of them on the waterways, we will be able to achieve the safety we are clamouring for,” she said.
Also, Mr Patrick Ike, the Assistant Director, District Surveyor, of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said that the programme was supposed to address some greater problems of mishaps on the country’s waterways.
“Unfortunately, when we that are supposed to come and enlighten the operators to imbibe the safety culture in them are called we don’t attend, at the end of the day, we blame some of these mishaps on negligence, incompetence.
“We that have the key and suppose to do something about this are not doing so, what do we expect, the rate of the mishap will still continue.
“I give WABOTAN kudos for organising this and charge them not to relent, they should include all agencies and stakeholders the next time they are hosting the training to ensure safety on the waterways,” he said.
Mr Damilola Emmanuel, General Manager, of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), said that they are happy to support any intiatives that would bring the development of inland waterways.
According to Emmanuel, the training will help prevent possible incidents of mishaps on the waterways and equip the operators with the skills and necessary knowledge needed.
“When WABOTAN was starting operation, I told them that they need to ensure that they put their money where their mouth is, ensure that they do all they have said they will do.
“It gives me great joy that it has not been up to two months and they are doing this initiative,” he said.
He pointed out that on their part, LASWA had partnered with Yamaha to train boat operators.
“We have the emergency and control room, we also go to jetties and ensure that we carry out different sensitsation programme for them rather than calling them together to train them,” he said.
Mr Ngozi Njoku, Commandant of, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Fire Service, noted that the hunger to do things right and professionally should be the concern of all participants in the training.
“Improve yourself daily, whatever you learn today should be praticalised so that it becomes part and parcel of your system of operations,” Njoku said.
Also, Mr Sunday Avoseh, President, of Seaman’s branch, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), noted that there was nothing as dangerous as working with an untrained worker, applauding the association for the training.
“For our waterways to be safe, all stakeholders must be involved in this training as this will ensure boat owners have peace of mind, and workers and passengers are also secured on the waterway.
“We all witness what happens on our waterways, accidents and so curbing this is what we are doing today by this training,” he said.
President of WABOTAN, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, said that the exercise was necessary because of the usual rush of the ember months in water transportation and the attendant mishaps.
“We are in the ember months now, and it is believed in some quarters that accidents usually increase in December but we don’t pray for it to happen.
“So, we want to create safety awareness for our members and place them on high alert,” he said.
The Federal Government will soon harmonise taxes paid by jetty operators to address double taxation and promote Ease of Doing Business in the country.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, said this while meeting with the Technical Sub-Committee of the Presidential Standing Committee on Private Jetties (PSCPJ), led by its Chairman, Mr Joseph Ororo in Abuja.
Sambo said operators are often made to pay multiple registration fees by different regulatory agencies such as the National Inland Waterways (NIWA)and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA).
The minister however appreciated the committee’s efforts towards licensing jetties and closure of illegal platforms and advised them not to restrict their inspections on timeliness alone.
He urged them to also include unscheduled visits to jetties to ensure compliance with exant laws and regulations.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, informed that the Committee was created in 2004, to checkmate security breaches, economic sabotage, gun-running and other criminal activities which were traced to private jetties.
According to Ororo, the Technical Sub-Committee is the expert arm of the Presidential Standing Committee on Private Jetties (PSCPJ).
He said that prior to the constitution of the Standing Committee, there was a directive shutting down all private jetties across the country due to the intractable illegalities associated with them.
He listed the Committee’s terms of reference to include, ” Re-openining all jetties deemed vital to the economy of the country and examine all remaining closed jetties while recommending those to be retained and those to remain permanently closed”.
“The Standing Committee will meet from time to time to consider applications for operating licence for jetties and recommend those to be issued new licences by the Minister of Transportation.
”The minister of transportation to continue to issue licenses for the operation of jetties on the recommendation of the Standing Committee.
”The minister to prepare and present a note to Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the activities of the Standing Committee for its information and also keep the President fully informed on the work of the Standing Committee”.
The chairman explained that the work of the sub-committee had contributed immensely to increased revenue generation for the various regulatory agencies and the Federal Government.
Ororo said the committee’s work had brought about a high level of safety at the respective private jetties adding that multi-national companies no longer engaged jetty facility if such does not possess valid license duty.
”There is improved relationship between the companies and their host communities due to Cooperate Social Responsibility Projects and job creation made available to them and Nigerians by extension,”Ororo said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Lagos Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mrs Sarat Braimah, has warned boat operators and ferry service providers to observe neccessary rules to avoid boat mishap.
Braimoh said this in a statement on Saturday, after meeting with stakeholders on water transportation to deliberate on expected high tides and incidence of flood in littoral communities across Nigeria.
She also warned the operators against excessive speeding, overloading and fueling while in transit, saying such attitude would no longer be tolerated.
Braimoh pleaded with the stakeholders to stop boarding boats without life jackets and avoid other sundry activities unbecoming of boating rules.
She said that all stakeholders should show commitment to passengers’ safety, including those of other waterway users.
Braimoh reiterated the importance of safety and welfare of passengers on water crafts, adding that the impact of climate change was here in Nigeria.
The manager said this could be seen through lens of devastating floods.
She said that flood had breached socioeconomic and environmental lifelines of most states in the country, rendering people homeless and destroying farms, lands and livestock.
”This meeting is to prepare us to be circumspect and not take chances over weather forecast and consequent high tides of Lagos waters for granted.
”We want you to go back to your unit bodies and members to draw their attention to the expected impact of climate change which is here with us.
”So, we cannot afford to sleep over this matter and must, therefore, prepare to confront it headlong if it comes our way,” she said.
The meeting also deliberated on how to arrest logs and wrecks pushed out by flood from the creeks into the waterways, posing risk to boat services and operations.
Braimoh assured of deployment of the NIWA task force, backed by ambulance services, round the clock, with proactive management of water hyacinth which was also moved upstream to the waterways, posing a challenge to boat operations.
”We have written to request that water hyacinth should be cleared and checked.
”We have also taken note of the possible challenges of having floods pushing out logs and wrecks from the creeks into the waterways and we believe our ongoing wreck removal efforts will address the problem,” Braimoh said.
She said that NIWA in Lagos would partner with stakeholders to ensure that any expected weather-related challenge on the waterways was addressed to the benefit of Lagos waterways users.
Braimoh said those at the meeting include community leadership and members of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters (ATBOWATON).
Others with representatives at the meeting are, Waterfront Boat Owners and Water Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), LAGFERRY, Seacoach and Texas connection.
.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Tuesday commiserated with Anambra over Friday’s boat mishap that led to the loss of 10 lives at Ogbaru.
“It is with shock and sadness that NIWA commiserates with the people and government of Anambra over the mishap which consumed 10 lives at Umnnakwo, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra.
“The boat mishap was described as a mechanical and human error.
“It could have been averted, however, if the basic safety guidelines of wearing life jackets and avoiding overloading were adhered to,’’ NIWA’s spokesman, Malam Jibril Darda’u stated in Abuja.
He stated that a report from NIWA’s office in Onitsha, Anambra, showed that the wooden boat involved in the accident had 48 passengers on board when it took off.
Only one of the 48 occupants of the boat wore a life jacket and he survived the accident, he added.
“At a point, the outboard engine developed a mechanical fault and could not restart.
“All efforts by the captain of the boat to restart the engine proved abortive and at that point, the wave of the river started to pull the boat backwards towards a bridge linking Umunnakwo and Ossomala.
“Some of the passengers who could swim jumped into the river for safety, while others tried to push the boat away from the bridge.
“Those that could not swim were trapped in the boat and out of fear, they all moved to one side of the boat.
“And as soon as the boat collided with the bridge, it capsized leaving 10 women and children dead.
“Thirty-eight of the passengers, including five children were rescued alive,’’ Darda’u stated.
He stressed that NIWA had continually distributed free life jackets to boat operators associations in all its 23 area offices nationwide.
It also conducts sensitisation campaigns and training for boat operators and waterways users on the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, he stated.
Darda’u stated also that in addition to these, NIWA regularly patrolled waterways to effect quick response in the event of emergencies.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday expressed sadness over the boat accident in Anambra in which dozens of people were killed.
The president made his feelings known in a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, on Sunday in Abuja.
Buhari said he was saddened by the boat accident and directed that all possible efforts be made to account for all the passengers.
The boat reportedly carrying 85 persons capsized following rising floods in Ogbaru area of the state, with emergency bodies confirming a death toll of 76.
Following the tragedy, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have embarked on rescue and recovery missions expeditiously.
However, as more details are being awaited, according to the presidential aide, the president has directed all other rescue and relief agencies to rush to the scene of the accident.
Buhari also directed the relevant agencies of government to check ”the safety protocols on these transport ferries to make sure such incidents are avoided in the future.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for everyone’s safety, as well as the well-being of the family members of the victims of this tragic accident.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Some victims of flooding and residents of Kogi on Saturday commended the management of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for releasing two boats that ferry victims to Koton-Karfe, Kogi.
Some of the victims that spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria at Koton-Karfe described the gesture as a “big relief”.
They noted that the intervention was timely given the hardship in the gridlock between Natako and Koton-Karfe on the Abuja-Lokoja highway.
Alhaji Musa Yusuf, an Abuja based businessman, said that he had been stranded in Kogi for three days as a result of the gridlock.
“I’m so grateful to the management of NIWA for the initiative and release of the ferry boats to enable some us to cross over to Koton-Karfe, where we can pick a car to continue with our trip.
“You may not believe it that I left Lagos on Wednesday morning only to get held up here in Lokoja.
“But by God’s grace I shall get to Abuja to join my family today,” Yusuf said.
Mrs Joan Dele, a public servant, said that she didn’t know about the boat services being offered by NIWA until a friend told her about it after she had lost the hope of traveling to Kaduna to see her daughter in a school.
“In fact, I’m so glad that we can have this kind of free service to help us to over come the challenges of the devastating flooding.
“You can see how happy those of us who jumped off the boat here at Koton-Karfe are; as from here we can take a vehicle that will take us to Zuba park in Abuja,” she said.
Speaking on the boat services, Mr Jibril Dardau, NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, said that it was out of the concern of the authority on the plights of victims of the flood in Kogi.
“We realised that motorists and commutters were finding it difficult to cross over Murtala Mohammed Bridge to get to Koton-Karfe due the flooded Abuja-Lokoja highway.
“Our Managing Director, Dr George Moghalu on Wednesday, gave a directive for the release of the boats to provide services for stranded travellers in Ganaja Village, Lokoja and Koton Karfe of Kogi, ” he explained.
Dardau said that the take-off point to either Koton-Karfe or Ganaja Village is the authority’s Dock Yard at 8 a.
m, 10 a.
m.
and noon on daily basis.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it has released boats to provide ferry services for stranded travelers in Ganaja Village, Lokoja and Koton Karfe area of Kogi.
NIWA Managing Director George Moghalu said that the measure was aimed at easing the sufferings of travelers from outside and within the state caused by the flooding.
Mr Jibril Dardau, the NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, announced this in a statement issued in Lokoja on Thursday in Lokoja.
The general manager said that the directive became imperative in view of the fact that the current flooding surpassed that of 2012, causing havoc in several communities in Kogi.
“With the NIWA gauge readers in Lokoja, the 2022 flood level is reading 13. 22 metres as against 12. 84 metres flood reading level of 2012.
“This clearly shows that this year’s flood level surpasses that of 2012 flood level which makes it dangerous and frightening.
“It’s unfortunate that the flood has overtaken some major roads in Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas of Kogi, thereby impeding normal and easy movements by motorists and commuters.
“The flood has made the highways impassable for travelers from or through Lokoja to Abuja thereby creating gridlocks and serious hardship on Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, NIWA in conjunction with the Boat Owners Association, has been providing succour to the victims in compliance with the safety guidelines of wearing life jackets, avoiding overloading, over speeding and night sailing.
He, however, appealed to travelers and boat operators to keep to the safety rules and regulations to avoid any eventuality.
(www
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Inland Waterways Authority has released boats to help provide services for stranded travellers in Lokoja and Koton Karfe of Kogi State.
The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu said this in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NIWA, Jibril Dardau on Thursday in Abuja.
Moghalu gave the directive to the Area Manager in Lokoja to quickly release the boats to help ease the suffering of the travelers caused by the flood.
He quoted the NIWA gauge readers in Lokoja, as confirming an increased flood level in 2022 when compared to the incident witnessed in 2012.
According to the NIWA gauge readers in Lokoja, the 2012 flood level was 12.84 meters whereas that of this year is reading 13.22 meters, hence, the 2022 flood level has surpassed that of 2012 with 0.38 meters.
”The flood this year has overtaken some major roads in Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas of Kogi State which made it impassable for travelers from or through Lokoja to Abuja thereby creating serious hardship on Nigerians.
”It is in this regard, NIWA in conjunction with the Boat Owners Association have been providing scour to these victims in compliance to the safety guidelines of wearing life jackets, avoiding overloading, overspeeding and night sailing, “Moghalu said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
