A 6,240-nautical mile area has been covered in the search for a boat that went missing on Friday with four people, the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has said.
The "AAA-37" boat departed from Thilafushi at 6 am on Friday with a Maldivian and three Bangladeshis. En route to Meemu Medhufushi Island Resort, the boat was reported missing to the Coast Guard at 5:20 pm later that day, MNDF said.
A 4,519-square nautical mile area on the eastern edge of Meemu Raiymandhoo was covered by air and sea in the search operation on Saturday.
Drones are not being used for the operation.
But a boat that went missing in Meemu atoll in late March was found by using a drone, MNDF said at the time. A 440-square nautical mile area had been searched to locate the boat.
MNDF has been facing criticism for not using drones in the current search operation.
The operation to search for the "AAA-37" boat that went missing on Friday is underway in Meemu atoll, MNDF said, declining to provide the reason for not using drones.
A Maldivian aircraft was used for the search operation, MNDF said on Saturday. It was later revealed to have been a seaplane.
Adhadhu asked MNDF repeatedly to explain the reason for not using the drone. But the military's spokesperson said he could not provide any further information apart from information shared through MNDF's X account and Telegram group.
The Maldives is experiencing a bout of bad weather with heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough seas. Seafarers have been advised to exercise caution.
MNDF has urged the public to contact the Coast Guard's toll-free number 191 with any information about the missing boat.
Assurance about the drones from President Muizzu
Speaking at a ceremony held in Noonu Maafaru on March 15, 2024, to inaugurate the MNDF's Air Corp and introduce the military's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) service, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that the use of the drones would significantly reduce the period of time needed for search operations.
"This 900,000 square kilometre area that I referred to is an area that we will now be able to monitor under our surveillance at any time. God willing, we have received the assurance that we will soon be able to successfully conduct search operations," the President said at the ceremony.
The drones brought to the Maldives were manufactured in Türkiye. Citing credible sources, Adhadhu previously reported that the drone purchase deal was worth USD 37 million (MVR 570 million) with funds from the state's contingency budget. The government has not refuted Adhadhu's reporting to date. Some drones had been provided as grant aid from Türkiye, President Muizzu said.
While three drones were unveiled with the inauguration of the Air Corp, neither the government nor the MNDF has disclosed the number of drones purchased.
