The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Coast Guard is assisting a Sri Lankan fishing boat with half a dozen crew members adrift off the southern city of Addu.
Sri Lankan authorities alerted the MNDF that the vessel ‘Sandali Valantina’ was in distress and adrift at sea after its engine stopped on Thursday.
In a statement on Saturday afternoon, the MNDF said the Coast Guard had been monitoring the vessel and maintaining communications with the vessel ever since.
The vessel, painted blue and green, had been 70 nautical miles to the west of Addu’s Hithadhoo on Thursday, drifting towards the Kottey area.
Soldiers were deployed on the MNDF Southern Area Command Coast Guard’s first inspector craft ‘Dhoshimeyna’ and reached the ‘Sandali Valantina’ 15 nautical miles to the west of Addu to provide assistance at around 08:05 am Saturday.
All six crew members are reported to be safe.
They are being assisted by the Coast Guard.