Operator of tug boat, barge that wrecked Hulhumale’ reef fined by MVR 29M

The operator of the tug boat and barge that wrecked Hulhumale’ reef back in February of this year has been fined by MVR 29 million.

The tug boat ‘Anadi’ and the barge ‘AM Manumit’ ran aground on the north reef of Hulhumale’ on February 21^st. The vessels were removed from the reef on April 23^rd.

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) fined ‘The Middle East Marine, LLC’ in connection to the incident, which is the operator of both the vessels.

As per EPA, the authority, jointly with surveyors appointed by the operator of the vessels, conducted a damage assessment of the reef which showed that the wrecking damaged over 1,159 square feet of the reef.

Henceforth, EPA said the operator has been fined by MVR 29,201,946 (Twenty-nine million two hundred one thousand nine hundred forty-six) under the Regulation on Penalty and Liability for Causing Environmental Damage.

The operator was instructed to pay fine within the 30 days on October 1^st.