Indian ship in Maldives for hydrographic survey

An Indian ship ‘Southledge’ arrived in Maldives to take part in the ongoing hydrographic survey in Maldivian waters.

The team that arrived on this ship met with the Coast Guard Commander of Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Colonial Ibrahim Hilmy and held discussions related to the survey.

Officials from the Coast Guard as well as the Director-General of the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) Brigadier General Retired Zakariyya Mansoon took part in the discussions.

According to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the survey will commence on April 21 and will continue until May 15.

Additionally, MNDF revealed that the area between Haa Dhaalu Atoll to Noonu Atoll will be covered in the survey.

Hydrographic surveys in the Maldives were commenced in 2007 in collaboration with the Indian National Hydrographic Office. The survey intends to update the current navigational charts, GPS and the electronic charts used when accidents occur, and to create anchorage and approach charts.

MNDF stated that the surveys will help prevent dangers in seafaring and permit insurance claims and broaden the economy.

Furthermore, the authority said that information needed to legalize insurance claims as well as broaden the economy can be obtained through this.

Moreover, data from the survey will be needed for works such as coastal zone management.

The survey is conducted in multiple phases. As a part of this, last year, a survey of the area between Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Shaviyani Atoll was conducted.