Chances of Finding Missing Friend 4 Crew Now Low, MNDF Says

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said the chances of finding three people missing after the Friend 4 supply vessel sank in the Huvadhu Channel are low, 11 days after the incident.

Eight people were on board the vessel when the incident occurred. Seven were rescued, while three remain missing: MNDF Fire and Rescue Service Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmad, Maldives Police Service Sergeant Ali Nafiu, who worked on the rescue operation, and the vessel’s captain, Mohamed Hamdoon.

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The MNDF said the vessel capsized and sank suddenly in deep waters early on August 5, with the sinking site estimated to be more than 1,600 metres deep.

At the request of the Maldivian Government, the United States deployed a Navy P-8 aircraft on August 16 to assist with the search. The aircraft covered 6,300 square nautical miles across the Huvadhoo Channel.

Search operations continued through August 16, with the MNDF covering 17,220 square nautical miles by air and 2,790.10 square nautical miles by sea. A further 288 square nautical miles of shorelines and reefs in the area were searched.

The vessel, which was carrying gravel and river sand, sank about 4.1 nautical miles north-east of Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Kudalafari.

The MNDF said the entire Huvadhoo Channel has been searched by air and sea, with operations also extending to reefs on the Huvadhoo Channel side of Haddhunmathi and North Huvadhoo atolls. Search teams have considered wind and ocean currents when determining potential drift areas.

Maldivian aircraft and MNDF TB2 drones equipped with infrared sensors have been used in the operation. The Coast Guard ship Imaduddin has also supported maritime searches using its onboard technology.

The MNDF said a landing craft, police launch, and MNDF launch were near Friend 4 when it sank, allowing those who jumped overboard or escaped as the vessel capsized to be rescued.

Based on the search efforts and information gathered from survivors, the MNDF said the likelihood of finding the three missing people on the surface is low.

The MNDF said search operations for the missing individuals are ongoing.