Adrift boats sink outside Maldivian waters

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) says two boats that went adrift last night took on water and sank about 30 nautical miles outside Maldivian territory. MNDF reported that both vessels were severely dilapidated and that the crews onboard were rescued. The boats had been moored between Male’ and Dhoonidhoo, but adverse weather damaged the shared anchor rode around 10 p.m., sending them adrift. One boat ran aground on the Male’ reef near the Carnival area, then tides pushed it into the Sinamale’ Bridge before it drifted under the bridge toward south Male’. MNDF said bridge inspections by CHEC technicians found only surface scratches and no structural damage. MNDF added that the boats were under Maldives Customs Service control, and only Customs could provide information about them. Officials said the boats entered Maldivian waters April 26—AL1 (no IMO number officially designated) and MT KG1 registered in Togo—after allegedly sailing from Shinas, Oman to Kandla, India, but authorities were alerted May 3 and facts were confirmed in a May 9 press conference.