Yacht owner fined MVR 4.8 million for reef damage in Alif Dhaalu Atoll

The owner of a yacht has been fined MVR 4.8 million and ordered to pay the amount within one month as compensation for environmental damage caused when the vessel ran aground on a reef in Alif Dhaalu Atoll.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that the incident occurred on 28 April.

The MY Big Fish yacht was refloated the following day. A joint survey to assess the environmental damage was conducted on 4 June with surveyors appointed by the vessel owner, according to the EPA.

The agency said the inspection of the area revealed that 187 square metres of the reef had been damaged.

The fine was issued on Monday. The EPA has instructed the owner to settle the payment within one month.

While fines are regularly issued for damage caused by vessels running aground, the state has so far received only a limited portion of the amounts imposed.