Coast Guard suspends search for Yoosufbe

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) announced on Saturday that it has suspended the search and rescue operation conducted for Yoosuf Ibrahim, an elderly man from ADh. Dhangethi, who went missing after venturing out fishing on a small engine boat.

The announcement comes a week after he went missing.

Affectionately known as Yoosufbe, Yoosuf, who is above the age of 65, is described by Dhangethi people as the island’s greatest reef fisherman.

Locals report he had been involved in reef fishing for years.

The island was alerted to his disappearance after the boat he went fishing in was found empty, in the waters off the island.

He was reported missing to the MNDF at 11:42 pm on October 14.

Earlier Saturday, MNDF said they searched 664 square nautical miles using surface vessels, 907 square nautical miles by Dornier Aircraft, and 376,850 square meters by Coast Guard divers.

But they found no sign of him.

MNDF said they received huge support from locals and neighboring resorts in the search operation.

The decision by the MNDF to suspend its search operation comes three days after Dhangethi residents scaled back their own efforts to find Yoosufbe.