Owner, authorities work to refloat cargo ship wrecked off Rasfari

The Greek owners of the cargo ship which wrecked on a reef off the coast of K. Rasfari are working with the assistance of Maldivian authorities to refloat the ship. 

The Panama-flagged Navios Amaryllis wrecked on the reef to the west of Rasfari at approximately 03:00 am on August 18. 

Maldives Transport Authority, in a statement this Monday, said the company that owns the ship has initiated salvage work in collaboration with relevant government institutions. 

The ship had been passing through Maldives without any cargo on an innocent passage in accordance with the law. 

Transport Authority said the ship had been travelling from India’s Tuticorin port to Africa. 

The 190-meter-long bulk carrier wrecked on the reef after it was cast adrift in the open water after its engine failed in the South Kaashidhoo Sea. 

Transport Authority said that the ship has not spilled any hazardous material into the water, and that the Transport Ministry has instructed the owner to ensure that the fuel stored in the ship isn’t spilled during salvage work. 

The Greek company’s local agent Antar Maldives, Coastguard, Environmental Protection Agency, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Ports Limited, Maldives Immigration and Port Health are involved in the salvage work.