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Local government

Phasing Out Wooden Boats: A Maritime Expert's Call for Regulation Over Replacement

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A debate has sparked over the federal government's decision to phase out wooden boats in response to rising boat accidents in Nigeria's inland waterways. Maritime expert Adakole Ejegbudu disagrees with the initiative, suggesting that the issue lies not with the material but with design, engineering, and construction flaws. According to Ejegbudu, wooden boats can be safe if built with proper engineering and standards.

Key Takeaways:

  • Adakole Ejegbudu, technical director of Flotilla Academy of Marine Technology (FAMT), disagrees with the federal government's call to phase out wooden boats, citing design and construction issues as the primary cause of accidents.
  • Ejegbudu suggests training local boat builders in best practices to ensure safe vessel construction, rather than replacing wooden boats with non-wooden ones.
  • The expert emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between passenger and cargo boats, with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) responsible for regulating loading and unloading to prevent overloading and ensure vessel stability.
  • Ejegbudu attributes boat accidents to the failure of vessel hulls and engines to withstand heavy loads, leading to mechanical failure and structural fatigue.
  • Fleets currently designed for 10 passengers plus 70kg of hand luggage routinely carry large, heavy cargo, including grain, motorcycles, and market goods, resulting in catastrophic effects on vessel stability.

Statistics:

  • 10 passengers plus 70kg of hand luggage is the average passenger weight for vessels.
  • Fleets carrying large, heavy cargo risk capsizing even during routine manoeuvres due to raised centre of gravity and vessel susceptibility to swamping.
  • Insufficient regulatory enforcement and lack of dedicated cargo vessels contribute to the widespread use of passenger vessels for cargo transport.
  • A 1000kg vessel, designed for 1000kg of payload, resumes to a significantly greater load when passengers and cargo combine, raising concerns of vessel stability and mechanical failure.

Sources:

  • LEADERSHIP (Source not provided with exact date)
  • Adakole Ejegbudu, technical director, Flotilla Academy of Marine Technology (FAMT)

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