Seychellois fishing boat in Maldivian territory searched, released

A Seychellois fishing boat which entered Maldivian territory has been released after being searched by Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

“Ocean 2” was spotted by the crew of “Dheriya”, a local fishing boat from Gaafu Alifu Vilingili.

Dheriya crew member Mohamed Idrees told Sun Online that the boat was sighted about 18 miles off Laamu Hithadhoo yesterday afternoon.

He said that Ocean 2 started moving west as it was approached by Dheriya.

MNDF Information Officer Major Adnan told Sun Online that the sighting was reported at 1:45 p.m. yesterday, following which the vessel was searched and released upon confirmation that it had not been fishing in Maldivian waters.

The boat was equipped with fishing gear but had no fish onboard, and was en route to Indonesia, said Adnan.