Suleiman Mohammed, First Lieutenant, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, told newsmen during the handover of the vessel, MV Dandellan Grace to NIMASA on Saturday. He alleged that crew members of the vessel switched off the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder with intent to remain hidden from detection by security agencies. x“However, after lifting the diesel, it was discovered that the vessel switched off her AIS transponder from Sept. 29, 2020, to the morning of Sept. 30, 2020. He explained that the sailors’ action violated the Safety of Lives at Sea (SOLAS) Regulations mandating vessels to always operate with their AIS transponder switched on. Baregha assured that the agency would conduct a speedy investigation to determine why the vessel’s AIS transponder was switched off.

Source: The Guardian January 23, 2021 13:39 UTC