A comprehensive search by air and sea has been conducted to locate three individuals who went missing following the sinking of the supply boat. The eight-member crew of the vessel ‘Friend 4’ was en route from Laamu Atoll to Huvadhoo Atoll, transporting a shipment of rock aggregate and coarse sand when it began taking on water.

The incident was reported to authorities around 11:22 p.m. on Wednesday night, leading the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service to initiate joint rescue operations.

Seven of the eight crew members were rescued successfully, but the vessel’s captain remains unaccounted for. Additionally, a soldier and a police officer involved in the rescue efforts are also missing.

The missing police officer has been identified as Sergeant Ali Nafiu of Fulooniyage, N. Manadhoo, who has served in the Maldives Police Service since 2012 and is a father of two, married to a native of Gaafu Alif Vilingili. The MNDF soldier missing is Ibrahim Ahmed. The vessel’s captain has been identified as Mohamed Hamdhoon from Th. Madifushi.

On Friday, the MNDF reported that an extensive search has been carried out through coordinated aerial and maritime operations. Aerial searches, involving a Maldivian aircraft and MNDF Air Corps unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), covered 881 square nautical miles. Simultaneously, maritime operations conducted by the Coast Guard Ship Imadhuddin, fast interceptor craft, sea ambulances, and police vessels covered an additional 310.10 square nautical miles.

Despite these efforts, the three individuals remain missing.

In light of a recent increase in maritime incidents, authorities have urged seafarers to closely monitor weather conditions and ensure all safety equipment on board is available and in good working order.