Search passes 7,400 NM², three days on, no sign of missing captain and rescue officers

More than 7,400 square nautical miles have been searched for the three people missing from a supply boat, the MNDF said.

The eight-crew Friend 4 vessel had set off from K. Thilafushi on August 2, carrying construction material such as rock aggregate to islands. The boat sent out a distress call to the police at around 10:40 pm on Thursday, after it began taking in water as it travelled through the Huvadhoo Sea after setting off from Th. Madifushi.

Seven of the eight crew members on the vessel were successfully rescued, while the boat’s captain, and a police officer and soldier involved in rescue efforts went missing.

They were identified as:

• Mohamed Hamdhoon, 35, boat captain  

• Sergeant Ali Nafiu, 33, police officer  

• Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed, 39, MNDF  

The MNDF stated on Friday night that they have searched 5,212 square nautical miles via air and 1,070 square nautical miles via sea in the operation.

They have not been found as of Saturday evening, the MNDF reports.

MNDF Air Corps drones, Coast Guard vessels and a flight of the national airline Maldivian are also being used in the search operation.

It is noteworthy that social media has been filled with messages of hope and prayers for the three men. Many are wishing for their safe return.