The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has issued a warning to all mariners and vessels operating in the country’s territorial waters to maintain a safe distance of 5 nautical miles off the TEN Field Deep Water Port (DWP).

This follows the approval of Tullow Ghana’s proposal to locate and operate a floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) offshore at the TEN Field Deep Water Port (DWP) in the Atlantic Ocean.

Director-General of the authority, Rev. Dr. Peter Isaka Azuma, explained in a statement that the installation and drilling works that will be carried out within the catchment area involves the use of heavy equipment which could pose a danger to mariners.

“The operator is engaged in well-drilling and installation of sub-sea infrastructure; the installation and drilling work that will be carried out involves the use heavy equipment that poses a danger to mariners,” the statement read.

Additional risks, according to him, include collisions and the danger posed from the use of open fires by mariners in close proximity to the oil and gas installation.

The Director-General of GMA is required by Section 235 of the Ghana Shipping Act, 2003 Act 645, to advise the seafaring community and public of developing or existing situations which may adversely affect maritime safety.

He therefore advised all mariners, vessels -- including ships, canoes, rafts and all kinds of watercraft -- to maintain a safe distance of 5 nautical miles vectored from the centre position of the FPSO in the interests of safety.