The Ghana Navy rescued seven suspected stowaways from a Belgium-registered crude oil tanker during a maritime operation off the Tema coast. The operation unfolded after the Ghana Navy Ship (GNS) Achimota responded to an emergency alert approximately 200 nautical miles south of Tema Harbour.
The tanker, MT Cap Felix, with a gross tonnage near 82,000 tonnes, reported the presence of individuals hidden inside its rudder trunk, a small compartment above the ship’s propeller used for steering. This location poses extreme safety risks, underscoring the urgency of the request for assistance.
According to Commodore Solomon Asiedu-Larbi, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, the distress call was received from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Abidjan. The seven men reportedly boarded the vessel clandestinely while it was anchored in Côte d’Ivoire, with Abidjan as the tanker’s last official port of call.
The GNS Achimota sailed from Tema Harbour shortly after the alert and intercepted the vessel at sea. Naval personnel successfully evacuated the seven men, who were found in good medical condition despite the dangerous environment of the rudder trunk. Further inquiries established that all suspects are Ivorian nationals, though some are believed to be part of a Ghanaian community living in Côte d’Ivoire.
After their rescue, the men were handed over to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Immigration Service, and Marine Police for in-depth investigations and potential legal proceedings. The Navy highlighted the importance of collaboration between maritime stakeholders, which was instrumental in the timely and safe resolution of the incident.
Commodore Asiedu-Larbi reiterated the Navy’s dedication to securing Ghana’s maritime borders and the larger Gulf of Guinea from threats including piracy, illegal migration, and other cross-border crimes. This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of regional coordination and swift response in addressing maritime safety and security challenges.