The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), has advised all mariners and vessels in the Western Region to maintain a safe distance of five (5) nautical miles radius away from the Jubilee Oil Fields.

This according to the Authority was to ensure the safety of marine activity with respect to ongoing development operations on the Fields, off the coast of the region.

A safety advisory issued and signed by Mr Issaka Peter Azumah, Director-General of GMA cautioned that drilling and sub-sea installations by Tullow Ghana Limited, the lead operator in the Jubilee fields, involved the use of heavy equipment, which posed a danger to mariners.

The statement said the vessels included ships, canoes and all kinds of watercraft.

The advisory stressed on the high risk of grounding, collision and dangers posed by the use of open fires by mariners in close proximity to the oil and gas installations. It said the Director-General was required by section 235 of the Ghana Shipping Act, 2003 (Act 645) to advise the seafaring community and the public of developing or existing situations, which might adversely affect maritime safety.

It said in the best interest of maritime safety, therefore, all mariners and vessels should comply with the advice.