Police Provide Emergency Assistance to Sinking Cargo Vessel

Police provided emergency assistance to a cargo vessel travelling from Malé to Fuvahmulah after it began taking on water while carrying 17 people and a large quantity of goods.

The vessel, named Havaas, issued a distress call at 12:21 pm last Thursday after water started flooding the hull. Police said the boat was later escorted safely to Fuvahmulah, where unloading operations are currently underway.

According to information provided by the captain, the incident occurred after fibre at the upper corner of the vessel cracked, allowing seawater to enter. Sea conditions were reported to be rough at the time, and the vessel was approximately 10 miles from Fuvahmulah when the flooding began.

Although the vessel was equipped with an automatic pump and three additional pumps, these were insufficient to control the incoming water. Police responded by deploying a fourth pump when the boat was about two miles from Fuvahmulah, which helped to reduce the flooding.

The Maldives National Defence Force also responded by dispatching a boat when the vessel was around one mile from shore and followed it until it reached the harbour safely.

The vessel was carrying six crew members, nine passengers, the captain and a cashier. No injuries were reported.

The cargo on board was valued at MVR 5 million. A small number of sacks containing staple food items were damaged during the incident.