Ministry issues safety warning after fatal landing craft incidents
Following an internal investigation into Sunday’s incident, MPL confirmed that the landing craft involved was being operated by an unlicensed captain.
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The Ministry of Transport has advised the public to follow safety procedures when operating vehicles and vessels, including landing crafts, after three fatal capsizing incidents reported this year.
The latest incident occurred in the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) area on Sunday evening. In a press release issued on Thursday, the Ministry urged extra caution when operating steel or mineral-bound vessels.
According to the statement, several incidents have resulted from non-compliance with regulations governing the operation of landing crafts, tugs, and barges within Maldivian waters. The Ministry noted that some of these vessels are being operated by captains without the required qualifications.
Citing maritime regulations on cargo loading and vessel operation, the Ministry outlined the required certification levels for vessel operators:
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Captains of iron or ore-bound vessels of 100 gross tons or more must hold a Certificate of Competency up to 3,000 gross tons.
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Captains of vessels exceeding 24 metres in length or up to 100 gross tons must hold a certificate with endorsements suitable for the vessel’s tonnage.
The Ministry urged that only licensed captains operate vessels in Maldivian waters. It also advised operators to ensure cargo is properly secured and distributed to maintain vessel stability before departure.
Following an internal investigation into Sunday’s incident, MPL confirmed that the landing craft involved was being operated by an unlicensed captain. The company also stated that the vessel was found to have stability issues.
