The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has called for a formal investigation into a physical altercation involving the diving teams of the liveaboards 'Maldives Legend' and 'Infinity X' within Maldivian waters.
In a statement addressing the incident, NBAM urged the Maldives Police Service and the Ministry of Tourism to conduct a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the matter.
The association’s call follows the circulation of a social media video depicting an underwater confrontation between divers. Expressing deep concern over the footage, NBAM appealed to the public to refrain from making targeted accusations until the full facts of the incident are established.
The viral video shows two divers engaged in a physical struggle while underwater. The footage further captures a heated verbal exchange between the two parties on a vessel after surfacing from the dive.
NBAM strongly condemned the incident, alleging that some parties are using the event to tarnish the reputation of the Maldivian boating and diving industries and to portray the Maldives as an unsafe destination for tourists.
Furthermore, the association raised questions regarding the true ownership of foreign vessels operating in the Maldives. NBAM requested that authorities investigate the extent of genuine local involvement in vessels like 'Infinity X,' which were previously foreign-operated but have since been registered under Maldivian companies.
The statement also highlighted discrepancies in the operational data of 'Infinity X.' NBAM noted that while the vessel is registered with the Ministry of Tourism as having 20 rooms and 40 beds, international booking platforms list it as having 19 rooms with a capacity for 30 passengers.
NBAM emphasised that such inconsistencies are a matter of serious concern and called on authorities to ensure that all operators adhere to regulations uniformly and transparently.
