Authorities which inquired into the grounding of a cargo ship near Rasfari, Kaafu Atoll on August 19 have reported negligence from the captain of the ship.
During a joint press conference held by Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Maldives Transport Authority, the MNDF Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), authorities revealed the ship ran aground after its engine was shut off due to overheating. Authorities stated the captain of the ship had not taken the necessary action to save the reef of Rasfari after the grounding, and had not informed the relevant authorities about the incident. As such, authorities revealed the incident was reported by the public, rather than the ship itself.
At the press conference, the environment ministry stated it will take the necessary action against the captain of the ship and others found negligent in this incident. The ministry said the ship will not be able to leave before compensating for the environmental damages caused by the incident.
Meanwhile, the MNDF Coast Guard said the tug boats needed to re-float the ship have now been brought to the Maldives. The Coast Guard said its current priority is to re-float the ship and to avoid leakage of fuel from the ship into the sea.
The cargo ship ran aground near Rasfari while travelling from Tuticorin, India to a port in South Africa. The ship had been carrying 19 crew members, along with 1,200 tonnes of low sulfur intermediate fuel oil and 80 tonnes of low sulfur marine gas oil. The ship is owned by a company in Greece and is affiliated with a local agent.