Somali Dinghy Taken into Coast Guard Custody

A dinghy vessel located approximately 10 miles off the coast of Fuvahmulah has been taken into Coast Guard custody.

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said the Coast Guard Fourth Squadron’s Harbour Patrol identified a suspicious dinghy with three individuals aboard, and took the boat into custody.

Upon further investigation, the boat was identified as ‘skiff’, a type of boat commonly used by Somalis. The people aboard the vessel are believed to be Somalis, MNDF said.

MNDF said the vessel has now been taken to Fuvahmulah Harbour, and efforts are ongoing to handover the vessel to the police.