Boating Association: Necessary requirements for efficient safari operations remain unfulfilled

Despite various efforts by the Boating Association of Maldives to establish a secure harbor for the country's safari vessels, the association's President, Ismail Shareef, stated that no viable solution has yet been reached.

Speaking on RaajjeTV's "Fala Surukhee" program, Ismail Shareef stated that the necessary infrastructure for the effective operation of safaris remains inadequate. He noted that while the association has made various efforts to establish a secure harbor for safari vessels, no progress or viable solution has been achieved to date.

Ismail Shareef stated that this is a vital requirement for safaris to operate effectively within the industry. He further emphasized the importance of formulating and implementing a sound policy to address these challenges.

The necessary infrastructure for the efficient operation of safaris remains inadequate. This association has explored various avenues to establish a secure harbor for these vessels; however, no viable solution has been reached to date. The development of such a facility is an essential requirement for the industry to operate at its full potential.

Ismail Shareef, President of the Boating Association

The President of the Boating Association also highlighted that the boating industry is a multi-billion rufiyaa sector.

The previous administration launched a project to develop a marina in the Dhiyaneru lagoon in Kaafu Atoll, aimed at providing a permanent solution to the lack of safe harbor facilities facing the boating industry. The project was officially inaugurated on September 30, 2023.

However, following the change in administration, the work has come to a complete standstill. The Boating Association has noted that with the project stalled, the issue of lacking a safe harbor for safaris within the boating industry remains unresolved.

The lack of a safe harbor has created significant operational challenges for safari vessels, hindering the long-term sustainability of the industry. The Boating Association of Maldives has called on the government to prioritize and address this issue to find a lasting solution.