The Panamanian cargo boat that ran aground on to the reefs on the west side of K. Rasfari, has been refloated.
The Panamanian boat ‘Navios Amaryllis’ crashed into the reefs of Rasfari on August 19 and the work of dredging the boat commenced that very day. MNDF affirmed that the dredging work had been completed by Sunday afternoon, with the support of Maldives Coast Guard and other relevant bodies.
No further information was revealed.
While officials, at a press conference on Thursday, revealed that the refloating process will commence on September 1 and conclude in two days, the work has completed sooner that expected. While authorities had said that the delay was because equipment required for the refloating work was to be brought in from abroad; two tug boats were brought in for the work. The refloating work commenced after transferring 1,226 tonnes of oil to the boat's upper tank to avoid any spill causing further damage to the ocean.
Since the reefs of K. Rasfari is protected, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) said that the damage done to the reefs would be surveyed and they stated that before the refloating work had begun, they had already assessed the damage done from the surface.
While it was previously reported that the boat will not be allowed to leave the Maldives prior to the damage assessment survey, EPA said that it will be allowed to leave after paying a deposit of MVR 100 million for the damages to the reef.
Transport Ministry’s Deputy Minister, Hamadh Abdul Ghanee, stated that it was discovered through investigation that the captain of the cargo boat played a huge role in the damage done to the reefs. This boat was travelling from India’s Tuticorin to South Africa when it had lodged on the Rasfari reef because the engine was shut off after it was at unit three and was carried with the tides.
While the boat has been refloated, an emergency motion over the matter was submitted to the People's Majlis on Monday by Makunudhoo constituency MP Mohamed Raai.
The lawmaker said the reason for submitting the motion was because the incident compromises marine environmental protection, and called for the matter to be investigated thoroughly.
