NBAM Seeks Impartial Inquiry into Liveaboard Dispute 

MV+ News Desk | November 1, 2026

The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) yesterday called for a thorough and impartial official investigation into a recent altercation involving diving crews from two vessels, Maldives Legend Liveaboard and Infinity X. 

The appeal follows the widespread circulation of footage on social media and international platforms showing an incident between members of the two diving teams. In a formal press statement, NBAM urged the Maldives Police Service, the Ministry of Tourism, and relevant authorities to conduct a transparent probe to establish facts and hold any responsible parties accountable under Maldivian law.

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The association strongly cautioned against premature judgments, public finger-pointing, and sweeping generalisations, warning that unverified claims risk damaging the livelihoods of local operators and unfairly portraying the Maldives as an unsafe diving destination. NBAM emphasised that any misconduct or negligence by specific individuals must not be used to discredit the broader domestic marine tourism sector.

Beyond the immediate incident, NBAM raised broader regulatory and operational concerns regarding foreign-operated vessels. The association pointed out that Infinity X was formerly registered as an overseas vessel, questioning whether its transition under a domestic firm reflects authentic local ownership and governance. 

NBAM urged authorities to look past mere paper registrations and closely scrutinise beneficial ownership and management arrangements to ensure foreign operators do not bypass statutory protections designed for Maldivian enterprises.

The association further highlighted apparent discrepancies between official government records and commercial listings regarding the vessel’s operational capacity. While the Ministry of Tourism registers Infinity X under Golo Maldives Pvt Ltd with 20 rooms and 40 beds, international booking platforms such as LiveAboard.com advertise the craft with 19 cabins and a maximum capacity of 30 guests. 

NBAM called on the Ministry of Tourism to clarify these differences and strictly enforce compliance regarding approved passenger loads and seaworthiness standards.

Reaffirming its commitment to working with regulatory authorities, NBAM emphasised that high professional standards, tourist protection, fair competition, and the safeguarding of Maldivian businesses must be enforced across the sector without exception.

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