A search and rescue operation conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard is underway to find a Maldivian surfer lost at sea in the south of the country.
Mohamed Sammoon, a 21 year-old from Kolamaafushi Island in Gaafu Alif Atoll (the north-eastern half of Huvadhoo Atoll), was reported missing around 4:30pm Saturday (May 4), MNDF Media Officer Abdulla Ali told local media.
“The Coast Guard are now working at the scene after one from the three [young men] who went into the sea was reported missing,” Abdulla said.
The Island Council was informed Sammoon was missing at 3:20pm and promptly informed the MNDF and Police Services, Kolamaafushi Island Council President Ahmed Jameel told local media.
Sammoon was with two other young men and was reported as having a surfboard with him when he entered the sea.
“The three of them together went to the sea. The kid who has gone missing, he was swept away by the current after he went a bit far out into the sea,” said Jameel.
India has pledged to provide the Maldives with an assortment of defence equipment, infrastructure, and training, reports local media.
Seven radar systems, adding to the three already in place, are being given by the Indian government, as well as a helicopter for search, rescue and emergency evacuation in the northern Maldives.
Financial assistance is also being provided to construct a Coast Guard building and a harbor for Coast Guard vessels, in addition to establish a Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) composite training centre in Lhaviyani Maafilaafushi.
The pledges were made by Indian Defence Minister A K Antony during Minister of Defence and National Security Minister Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim’s recent visit.
The body of a person missing following a speedboat accident on Sunday has been discovered, police said.
Police identified the person as Dhaudh Mohamed, 28, from the island of Kulhudhufushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
According to police Dhaudh was discovered yesterday at about 5:58pm during a search.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) coast guard said the dead body was discovered by divers near the Reethi Rah resort.
In a statement issued yesterday, police said they were informed that one person was missing from the speedboat at 3:00pm yesterday.
The marine police department and coast guard began searching for the missing person upon receiving the information he was missing.
Yesterday morning at 8:45am a speedboat travelling to Male’ from Reethi Rah collided with an oil tanker.
According to local newspapers, some of the passengers aboard the speedboat were critically injured and one passenger was reported to have been paralysed.
Newspaper ‘Haveeru’ reported alleged the captain of the speedboat was asleep when the accident took place. The paper reported that the captain of the speedboat was now under arrest.
The hospital and police have not provided information to any media regarding the injuries received to passengers.
Yesterday the police confirmed that an Indian and a Philippine national were among the eight injured in the accident.
Police said the eight victims were admitted to ADK and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and were receiving treatment.
Both vessels were damaged in the incident.
In December 2012, a collision between two speed boats left a Finnish tourist dead and nine other people injured.
The collision occurred between an express speedboat service to the island of Hulhumale’ – which is located near to the capital of Male’ – and another vessel belonging to the Bandos Island Resort and Spa property.
In January 2013 this year, five people received minor injuries in a collision between two ferry services travelling to and from the the islands of Hulhumale’ and Hulhule’.
In February 2010, 11 people were injured when a Hulhumale’ ferry travelling to Male collided with a speedboat coming to Male’ from the Rannaalhi resort with tourists aboard.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has initiated a basic diving program to be used by international military personnel, local media have reported.
Entitled ‘MNDF Coast Guard Basic Diving Course’, Defence Minister Colonel Mohamed Nazim told local media that the course is the first to be organised by the MNDF and used by foreign ministry personnel.
“The first course will include personnel from the Indian Coast Guard, Sri Lankan Navy, Nepalese Special Forces, and 12 personnel from MNDF. I believe that this course will be successful in every way, and that more countries will participate in the future,” Nazim was quoted as saying in Sun Online.
Lieutenant Mohamed Shareef of the MNDF coast guard told members of the press that the diving course will continue for a period of two months, during which participants will learn how to appropriately handle situations they may face underwater.
A Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) search team yesterday returned to the Maldives with the eight survivors found aboard the boat ‘Hihvaru’, which was lost and later capsized while travelling to Huvadhu Atoll from Male’. The vessel originally departed with nine men and a child aboard.
However, authorities confirmed Tuesday (December 10) that a foreign national and a 76 year-old male from Rathafandhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll had died before they could be located by the rescue team.
According to the MNDF, the eight survivors were brought to Addu City and immediately admitted to Hithadhoo Regional Hospital for treatment after arriving yesterday (December 11) at 8:00pm.
The right survivors were said by the MNDF to be in good health upon their arrival in Addu City, with no one critically injured.
Robbery allegations
Local newspaper Sun Online today reported allegations made by the captain of the ‘Hihvaru’ boat that he and his passengers had been robbed of money by the crew of the Sri lankan vessel who first discovered them.
The crew of the Sri Lankan fishing boat were accused of robbing US$120 from the passengers on ‘Hihvaru’, according to ‘Sun’.
According to the MNDF website, the ‘Hihvaru’ set sail from Male’ on November 28 at 7:00pm, heading towards Huvadhu Atoll with 10 passengers aboard, including an 11 year-old boy. The boat was also loaded with goods to be taken to Huvadhu Atoll. The defence force has confirmed that two of the 10 passengers were Bangladeshi nationals.
The coastguard had begun searching for the vessel with assistance from the Indian government on November 29 after the boat was first declared missing.
The MNDF has said in a statement that a Sri Lankan boat had discovered the eight men hanging from the capsized vessel 290 miles off the island of Dhaandhoo in Gaa Alifu Atoll.
The Maldives coastguard has this evening located a Sri Lankan vessel that picked up eight survivors lost at sea in Maldivian waters after their boat had capsized. Authorities have also confirmed that two other passengers travelling on the capsized ship have died.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Spokesperson Major Abdul Raheem confirmed to Minivan News this evening that eight survivors who had been on the capsized boat, known as ‘Hihvaru’, were found safely aboard a Sri Lankan fishing vessel located 370 miles off Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
According to a statement on the MNDF’s website, one of the passengers confirmed to have died is a Maldivian national identified as Hassan Futha, a 76 year-old male from Rathafandhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
The MNDF has not identified the name of the other passenger, confirming only that the deceased was an expatriate and that eight other missing people from the ‘Hihvaru’ have been found and rescued by the Sri Lankan fishing boat.
According to the MNDF website, the ‘Hihvaru’ set sail from Male’ on November 28 at 7:00pm and was heading towards Huvadhu Atoll with 10 passengers aboard, including an 11 year-old boy. The boat was also loaded with goods to be taken to Huvadhu Atoll.
The MNDF said that two of the 10 passengers aboard were Bangladeshi nationals. The coastguard had begun searching for the vessel on November 29 after it was first declared missing and was assisted by the Indian government.
Authorities confirmed in a statement yesterday that the Sri Lankan fishing boat had discovered the eight men hanging from the capsized boat 290 miles off the island of Dhaandhoo in Gaa Alifu Atoll.
“This is the foundation of Addu’s development,” said Addu’s mayor Abdullah Sodiq, referring to the city’s SAARC preparations during a press conference held in Hithadhoo yesterday. He said the projects had been supported by “99 percent” of Addu residents.
Maldivian media was flown to Addu yesterday to observe preparations for the upcoming 17th annual SAARC Summit, scheduled for November 10-12. Festivities will be held in the area starting on the first of the month, in conjunction with the Muslim holiday of Eid.
“We are expecting a lot of traffic through here, and are confident that everything will be ready in time,” Sodiq said. “But this is only the beginning, and we have many more plans for development.”
Addu’s SAARC projects have been underway for six months, officials report. As the deadline approaches, construction teams are working round the clock to finish two harbors, a VVIP lounge, roads and the country’s largest convention center.
Sodiq said the harbors will renovate Addu’s commercial prospects, while the convention center provides new opportunities for locals, officials and foreigners alike.
Construction of Feydhoo harbor continues as the first deadline passes and another approaches.
“The harbor is a central place for Addu, there is demand for it even after SAARC and we have plans to generate more industry and shipping using these new resources,” said Sodiq.
New roads constructed around the convention center have made future road development less expensive for the council’s budget, he added.
Addu’s council also plans to use the Rf115 million convention center, a two-story building of glass, wood and marble with a capacity of 3000, to transform the atoll from a quiet place to a hub of business and tourism.
“We have some representatives talking to businesses in Singapore and Malaysia about hosting events here,” Sodiq told Minivan News. “We will be soliciting bids to find the right event manager to look after the convention center as well. I think there are people interested in what Addu has to offer, and I’m sure we can get a market for it.”
Officials and locals interviewed also hinted at hopes for musical events, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and holiday celebrations.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Director Ahmed Abeer Ismail said the centre’s origins were a sign of Addu’s potential. “That area began as a swamp, now it’s the biggest convention center in the country.” The swamp was heavily landscaped by MNDF and police forces, and now features a few scenic islands.
One of the Maldives’ most strategic atolls, Addu has been largely left to seed since the British withdrew its forces and influence in 1975. City councilor Ahmed Mirzad called SAARC the beginning of a new Addu.
“For 30 years we had Gayoom, and nothing was done in Addu. Then there was a new president, and unlike Gayoom he didn’t just look after Male’, he looked after the entire Maldives. For 30 years we didn’t even have one harbor that was working for Addu, but in the past six months, we have gotten everything,” said Mirzad.
Addu’s councilors were elected for the first time six months ago. Mirzad said the next three years will be a difficult but critical time for the council to prove itself to Addu’s people. Still, the timing is ideal.
“I don’t think, I know that this summit is the right starting point. Now, we will only keep going with our plans to grow,” he said.
Workers cross a newly-constructed road to continue landscaping across from the convention center.
One particular operation illustrates the grassroots motives behind the SAARC preparations. Selected from Maldives National University (MNU) Addu first-year students in hospitality, 24 Media Liaison Officers greeted Male’s press pack yesterday.
One young woman said the event was as much for the liaisons as for Male’ press.
“It’ll be challenging to handle foreigners and media personnel,” a group of students concurred. “But we are so happy to have this opportunity.”
“I was shocked to be asked to take part in SAARC, I never thought that I would get to work at something I’d heard so much about,” said another student. “And the certificate of reference that I’ll get afterwards will be really helpful for me when I’m looking for a job after graduation,” she added.
Liaisons have just completed a six-month management course and are attending seminars and briefings for SAARC. They will be divided into 11 teams of two to three officers and assigned to press pooles from different countries.
“The ministry was going to get people from Male’, but I suggested we use the local energy. They are good, they can do the job, and this is a key event, so why shouldn’t these students take part?” said Abeer.
Addu’s development isn’t only tailored to foreigners; Sodiq said part of the development plan is to bring Addu residents home.
“Unlike other islands, we have historical places to visit and our islands are connected, so tourists can actually see more than the sun, sand and sea. We will be constructing more lodgings as well, and our hospital and airport are going to be expanded. More business means more jobs, and part of the purpose of all this is to bring Addu citizens back after their migrations to Male’,” he said.
In Addu, infrastructure is a priority for community growth. Noting that education was key to development, Sodiq said that a Kangaroo school is scheduled to open next year, and a Billabong school is being considered.
For the moment, however, Addu’s mind is on SAARC.
With teams working around the clock to complete harbors in Gan and Feydhoo, and MNDF motorcades practicing their moves late into the night, Addu is a bustle of construction and security.
Both harbors were originally due for completion on October 25, yet concrete foundations have not yet been laid. However officials assure that they are 90 percent complete. When asked about setbacks, National Security Advisor Ameen Faisal said, “The weather. Due to heavy rains, many projects were delayed. It was unexpected and beyond our control, but we managed and we are on target.”
Inquiries of Addu’s appearance for SAARC yielded few details. “It’s a secret, we want it to be a surprise,” Faisal and Sodiq concurred.
Security, however, is highly detailed.
MNDF has delegated security teams to specific event components including media, medical, resort transport, and the airport. “Right now we are very confident in our security personnel and do not anticipate any problems during the SAARC summit,” said International Media Coordinator Ahmed Ibrahim.
Ibrahim added that “it will be helpful to have the extra security forces that other countries are providing because Addu is very big.” In addition to ground security, MNDF will be supported by the coast guard, which will establish multiple security layers around Addu’s marine perimeter, special task forces from Sri Lanka, and surveillance equipment from China, among others.
Summit guests include three of the world’s most controversial heads of state from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their reputations do not appear to cause anxiety to SAARC officials.
“They will not receive any special treatment, unless requested of course,” said MNDF Commander of SAARC Airport Security, Ahmed Shafeeq.
“There is no risk at all,” said Faisal. “We aren’t even bothered about it.”
After six months in a Maldivian jail, thirty crew members from two Iranian fishing boats have been released, reports Miadhu.
The vessels, named Arvin and Hormoz, were detained and the crew arrested last November by the Coast Guard for illegally entering Maldivian waters.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming they had been released last week and are on their way back to Iran.
Coast Guards found another Iranian fishing vessel last week near Havadhu Atoll. The crew were out of food and water and had been adrift for several days.
The Foreign Ministry noted the men were now in good condition.
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