The government has launched a programme to inspect the sea vessels as part of the activities held to mark World Maritime Safety Day.
Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), and the Maldives Police Service (MPS) will be conducting the programme for seven days under the name Safety Week.
Assistant Director of the Transport Ministry Hussain Nazeer said the main issues identified during the three-day inspection programme included the insufficient number of lifejackets and the absence of ropes on life rings. He said vessels coming from islands are being inspected at Jetty Number One in Male' City and noted that most of the vessels are in compliance with the laws and regulations.
World Maritime Day is celebrated in the last week of September every year. The transport ministry is conducting various activities to celebrate the day this year, including monitoring the safety of harbours and sea vessels as well as raising awareness of maritime safety and security.