The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed an MVR 20 million fine on the owner of a tug boat and barge that ran aground on the Kaafu atoll Dhiyaneru reef.
The tug and barge ran aground on the reef on September 23, 2023, after which both vessels were floated a day later, the agency said in an announcement yesterday.
"A joint survey was conducted on 28 September 2023 with surveyors appointed by the owner of the vessels in order to assess damages to the reef," EPA said in the statement.
"When the areas where the vessels ran aground were checked, an 804 square metre area where the tug ran aground was found to have sustained major damages. However, there were no damages to the area where the barge ran aground, it was noted."
The Middle East Marine LLC, the owner of the vessels, was fined MVR 20,246,600.
EPA ordered payment of the fine within 30 days.
