Coastguard assists 7 Sri Lankan fishing boats caught in bad weather

The Maldivian Coastguard has assisted seven Sri Lankan fishing boats which sent out distress calls after getting caught in severe weather conditions last Saturday.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)’s spokesperson Captain Ibrahim Azim reports the fishing boats were transiting through the eight and half degree channel at leeward of H. A. Atoll when it requested shelter under force majeure due to severe weather conditions.

According to MNDF, the Coastguard assisted the boats under its international obligation to assist vessels in distress, and allowed the fishing boats to enter calmer seas within the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).