Seven Marine Incidents Reported, Says MNDF Coast Guard

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard has reported receiving seven marine incident notifications within a single day. 

The Maldives Meteorological Service has forecast rough seas, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms across the country this weekend, prompting increased caution among maritime operators and the public.

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One of the reported incidents involves a 75-year-old man, Zakariyya Mohamed, who went missing after sailing in a dinghy between GDh. Gahdhoo and Gan. He remains unaccounted for, with the Southern Area Command Coast Guard Fourth Squadron actively conducting search operations. When last seen, Zakariyya was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and black shorts.

ޑިންގީއެއްގައި އެކަނި ދަތުރުކުރަމުން ދަނިކޮށް ގެއްލުނު ޒަކަރިއްޔާ މުޙައްމަދު ހޯދުމުގެ އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި މިއަދު ހެނދުނު ކުރި ދެވަނަ ޑައިވްގައި ގދ.ގައްދޫއާއި ގަމުގެ ދެމެދުން އޮންނަ ކަނޑުއޮޅީގެ 10 މީޓަރ އަޑިން ޑިންގީ ވަނީ ފެނިފަ. މި ޑައިވް ކޮށްފައިވަނީ ސިފައިންނާއި ފުލުހުން ގުޅިގެން pic.twitter.com/M84ajzlIa3— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) July 12, 2025

The Coast Guard detailed that seven incidents were reported between noon and 11pm yesterday. Among these was a case of a resort worker from R. Uthurumaafushi Resort who went missing after setting out in a canoe but later swam ashore at R. Dhuvaafaru.

In Th. Vilufushi, a vessel named ‘Viluroadhi’ was initially reported missing but returned to the island by around 2am.

Other incidents include a boat near A. Atoll experiencing engine failure with four adults on board, and a safari vessel near B. Dharavandhoo carrying 22 guests and 15 crew members that reported taking on water.

Additionally, a cargo boat named ‘Ocean Express’, travelling from Male’ to L. Hithadhoo with eight Maldivian and four expatriate crew members, was reported to have sunk near Rihiveli Resort. All on board were rescued safely and returned to Male’ by midnight.

The MNDF Coast Guard provided assistance in all the reported incidents. Authorities have urged heightened vigilance at sea due to the expected adverse weather conditions over the coming days.