According to E.P.A. it is yet unclear as to when the salvage of the Taiwanese ship could be undertaken, which has been stranded on the reef near Fuvahmulak.
In a news conference at The Ministry of Environment, the Director General of E.P.A., Mr. Ibrahim Naeem, has stated that the country is not equipped with therelevant tugboat to manoeuvre the ship, and hence, the ship owners are trying to acquire the necessary tugboat from Sri Lanka. It would take about 4 to 5 days for the tugboat to reach Maldives.
The waves and the tides have advanced the ship further on to the reef, causing increasing damage to the reef as well. The incident has been caused due to the captain’s navigation of the ship outside of the allowance near the reef.
Mr. Naeem further stated that the E.P.A. has been monitoring the situation, however, the actual extent of damages can only be finalised following assessments after the ship has been salvaged. He further stated that the necessary steps would be undertaken by the E.P.A.following these assessments.
Such incidences that prove the capain’s responsibility (or lack of) as a causal factor, would incur hefty fines.
The Salvage of the Ship Stranded on the Fuvahmulak Reef, Pending, as of Yet
