The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said on Sunday that the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Navios Amaryllis, which had become stranded on Rasfari reef, had been refloated.
The bulk carrier travelling from Tuticorin, India, to South Africa got aground on the reef west of K. Rasfari on August 19.
Deputy Minister of Transport Hamad Abdul Ghanee told local media during a press conference on Friday that the captain neglected to notify authorities of an engine problem before the bulk carrier ran aground.
The ship’s third engine unit was shut down owing to high temperatures, causing it to be thrown adrift in open water and eventually go aground, according to authorities.
At 14:08 a.m. today, the cargo ship was refloated from the reef and is now anchored at the country’s main port. According to the Maldives transport ministry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maldives Coast Guard will begin an environmental damage assessment caused by the ship in accordance with protocol.
Furthermore, authorities affirm that the ship, owned by a Greek company, was carrying 1,200 tons of low sulfur fuel oil (IFO) and low sulfur marine gas oil and that no hazardous substances were spilled into the sea.
EPA Deputy Director General Dr Ibrahim Mohamed told local media on Saturday that, following discussions with the investigation committee, the vessel would be allowed to leave the Maldives before the damage assessment was completed, with a deposit of MVR 100 million, the maximum amount that can be charged as a fine for environmental damages under Maldives law.
