84 vessels checked and asked to turn back – Coast Guard

23 December 2007
Report: Soodh

84 sea going vessels had been checked and one vessels being sent back to the port it departed, MNDF Coast Guard has said. Major Ibrahim Afzal said that these vessels were checked under the special operation Coast guard is conducting in the Eid Holidays.

Afzal said that this particular vessel was sent back to the port as it did not contain the safety certificate issued by Transport Ministry at that time. Afzal said that although certificate was issued to that vessel, the vessel did not have the certificate at that time. Coast Guard says that this vessel was issued the slip which is given to those vessels which travels against the rules.

Out of the 84 vessels checked so far, 60 vessels had various safety problems with them which include not having fire extinguisher and vessels carrying more passengers than the allowed capacity.

Major Afzal said that most vessels fulfilled the requirements before departing and the owners of the vessels and their crew co-operated with Coast Guard.

There had so far been no reports of any dangerous incidents on sea during these holidays and the vessels will e checked once they arrive in Male’ and the necessary steps will be taken, Coast Guard said.

Transport Ministry this time gave special privilege to the travelers as a temporary permission was given to carry passengers on fishing vessels and vessels which carry cargo, Afzal said.