The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has on Tuesday begun searching vessels in order to ensure the safety of those travelling by sea ahead of Eid Al-Adha.

Given that a large number of people travel by sea to outer lying atolls, for the holidays that come with the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, the MNDF began searching vessels on Wednesday.

Officers will see if vessels have abided by the Coast Guard’s standards for safe sea travel, and the MNDF said that it would penalize operators who do not meet said standards.

They will inspect the vessels primarily on the status of their telecommunication devices and their safety equipment.

These searches will continue until the end of the Eid Al-Adha holidays.