Investigation of Search and Rescue Response Times for Maritime Incidents off the Nigerian Coast

Effective maritime search and rescue operations are a cornerstone of international maritime law and a critical determinant of survival outcomes for persons in distress at sea. This study investigates the response times and operational effectiveness of maritime search and rescue operations for incidents occurring in the Nigerian exclusive economic zone and coastal waters. A descriptive research design was employed, using secondary data from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre records covering maritime incidents from 2019 to 2023, supplemented by structured interviews with fifteen search and rescue coordinators and maritime rescue personnel. Response time was measured from receipt of distress notification to first asset arrival on scene. Findings indicate that average response times exceed three hours for incidents occurring beyond fifty nautical miles from the nearest NIMASA search and rescue station, which significantly exceeds the internationally recommended benchmark. The National Search and Rescue Plan is found to be partially implemented, with coordination between NIMASA, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Navy requiring improvement. Vessel tracking gaps in the coastal surveillance system result in delayed detection of incidents involving small vessels. Recommendations include expansion of the search and rescue asset network to cover the eastern offshore zone, mandatory AIS carriage on all vessels above fifteen gross tonnes, and establishment of a twenty-four-hour joint maritime operations centre with integrated tracking capability. Keywords: search and rescue, Nigerian coast, response time, NIMASA, maritime distress