Farihi-2 Vessel Incident: Coast Guard Rescue Operation Still Ongoing

The MNDF Coast Guard's operation, launched last night to locate the missing Maduvvari Farihi-2 vessel and its crew, is still ongoing without interruption.

The vessel's owner, Ibrahim Faisal, stated that the Coast Guard informed him the men have not yet been found, and the search is continuing as the exact location where the vessel went is unknown. Ibrahim added that the Police and Coast Guard have assured him the operation will continue uninterrupted.

"They said a very large area, including the Rathmandhoo reef, has been searched. They also said the area where the buoy is located has been searched. The men have not been found. Drones are also operating in the area. I trust the Police and the Coast Guard," Ibrahim said.

The Police began the search for the Farihi-2 vessel after the owner reported it missing, with no news or whereabouts known, at approximately 22:06 on Friday. Upon receiving the information, the M. Atoll Police launch began the search for the vessel and the men, and shared the news with the MNDF Coast Guard.

Upon receiving the news, the MNDF Central Area Command, Coast Guard Third Squadron, commenced the search for the vessel. The "Coast Guard Harbour Craft 114" stationed in M. Muli began the search at 23:20 last night. Furthermore, at around 2:00 am, the MNDF Air Force deployed a "UAV" drone to the area where the vessel was reported missing. Drones are still being utilized in the operation.

The Farihi-2 vessel, which is used for diving excursions, departed for reef fishing at approximately 4:00 pm on Friday. Three men from Maafushi went fishing on it. Although they left for fishing stating they would return around 8:00 pm, the vessel's owner, Ibrahim Faisal, reported the matter to the Police and Coast Guard when they did not return even after 8:00 pm. The report was made to the Police and MNDF because none of the men who went fishing could be reached by phone.

The Police have requested that anyone with any information regarding the vessel and the men contact the Police emergency number 119 or the Coast Guard to share the information.

Attention: The missing vessel is a vessel purchased by Maduvvari Ibrahim Faisal from the young businessman from K. Maafushi, Aasim Mohamedfulhu (Simbe). However, the registry has not yet been transferred to Ibrahim's name. Ibrahim has informed that this detail was noted when reporting the incident to the Police and MNDF.