The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has completed an extensive air and sea sweep covering the entire Huvadhoo Channel (Suvadiva Channel) in search of three individuals missing after the supply vessel Friend 4 capsized on August 5, 2026.
The incident occurred during the early hours of August 5, approximately 4.1 nautical miles northeast of GA. Kudalafari, when the supply boat abruptly overturned and sank into the deep oceanic passage. Nearby emergency craft—including an MNDF launch, a police launch, and a landing craft—rescued passengers who managed to jump clear or escape the vessel as it capsized.
However, three men remain unaccounted for: vessel captain Mohamed Hamdhoon (35), Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu (33), and MNDF Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed (39), the latter two having gone missing while participating in the initial rescue effort.
Operation Statistics & Multi-Agency Assets
As of 18:00 on August 16, 2026, marking 11 days of continuous operations, joint search teams mapped wind drift and oceanic currents extending toward Laamu Atoll (Haddhunmathi) and Gaafu Alifu Atoll (North Hucadhoo Atoll):
Aerial Surveillance: 17,220 square nautical miles searched using MNDF Bayraktar TB2 drones equipped with night-vision infrared sensors and Maldivian aircraft.
Maritime Surface Search: 2,790.10 square nautical miles covered by Coast Guard vessels, including the newly commissioned CGS Imaduddin.
Reef & Shoreline Sweep: 288 square nautical miles of surrounding reefs and coastal zones canvassed.
International Support:
Following a bilateral request by the Maldivian government, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted a dedicated search on August 16, scanning 6,300 square nautical miles to complete the total coverage of the Huvadhoo Channel.
Challenges in Deep-Sea Recovery
MNDF authorities noted that the probability of discovering the missing individuals on the ocean surface is currently low.
The Friend 4 sank at a depth estimated to exceed 1,600 meters. Defense officials emphasized that these depths far exceed human diving limits as well as the operational thresholds of conventional and nuclear naval submarines. Coast Guard and maritime units continue to monitor potential drift paths along the region.
