MNDF captures foreign fishing vessel

The Maldivian military has captured a foreign fishing boat illegally trespassing into Maldivian territorial waters. 

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said that the fishing boat was captured seven miles from H. Dh. Naavaidhoo. MNDF was alerted to the vessel by a local fishing boat from H. Dh. Makunudhoo named “Randhi” around 17:42. 

A speedboat of the Maldivian Coastguard’s Northern Squadron was dispatched to the area and captured the vessel around 19:08. The boat was escorted to H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi around 21:41. 

MNDF stated that the boat had a crew of six people and that discussions were underway with relevant government institutions on how to proceed.