Indian navy boat headed to Male’ with landing craft passengers

Indian navy boat assisting in the search and rescue effort for the landing craft “Maria -3”- which went missing with six people onboard – is now travelling to Male’ City with the six passengers and crew members, reports Maldives National Defense Force.

MNDF’s media official, Captain Ibrahim Azim said the authority made the decision to move the six people onboard the landing craft to the Indian navy boat due to rough seas and poor weather in the area.

“Maria-3” was spotted 130 nautical miles outside of L. Isdhoo by an Indian military aircraft on May 20, after it was reported missing on May 17.

Captain Azim said MNDF discussed with a number of officials from Senok Private Limited to find a way to tow the landing craft to Male’ City over the last 36 hours, but that no company would agree to tow the landing craft due to the bad weather, and because its currently 215 nautical miles outside Male’ City.

Azim said a team of MNDF officials left for the area with a Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) tugboat last Sunday night.

He said the Indian navy boat was expected to reach Male’ City sometime during the morning hours of Tuesday.

“Maria-3” went missing when the chain holding the ramp in place broke, making travelling in the desired direction difficult.