The Ministry of Transport has warned that action will be taken against vessel owners who neglect their vessels after anchoring them in the sea and lagoons.
In an announcement issued today, the Transport Ministry stated that it is mandatory for safety and security reasons to have an adequate number of crew members on board to look after vessels navigating in Maldivian waters when they are anchored or at a jetty. The Ministry further stated that if a vessel does not have the required number of crew members to look after it while anchored, action will be taken against the owner of the vessel. The Ministry noted that action will be taken against such parties under Article 44 (f) of the Regulation on the Safety of Vessels Navigating in Maldivian Waters. Under this article, vessel owners can be fined MVR 1,000.
The Transport Ministry decided to take this action because it has been noticed recently that sea vessels are being left unattended without any crew members to look after them after anchoring in lagoons and sea areas. The Ministry noted that this has led to various dangerous incidents and damage to people's property.
In the Regulation on the Safety of Vessels Navigating in Maldivian Waters, "vessels navigating in Maldivian waters" refers to local vessels registered specifically to navigate in the sea areas of the Maldives, including the internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, encompassing harbours, navigation channels, lagoons, deep lagoons, reefs, shoals, and submerged reefs. This includes bokkura, dinghies, dhonis, baththelis, speedboats, yachts, ferry vessels, safari vessels, luxury vessels, houseboats, barges, landing crafts, tugboats, dredgers, hydrofoils, flight ships, hovercrafts, offshore platforms, non-motorised vessels, water sports vessels, and submarines.
