Boating Association Calls for Probe into Diving Incident Involving Safari Boat Teams

The National Boating Association has called for an unbiased investigation into an underwater dispute involving diving teams from two safari boats, which was captured on video and circulated on social media. In a statement released today, the association urged authorities to determine if any illegal acts or negligence occurred and to take action according to the laws of the Maldives. The video shows disagreements that took place on the 28th of last month, with one clip alleging that a person threw a spear at another individual. The association cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions, noting that it is unclear whether one party insulted another or how the incident unfolded. It also warned against portraying the Maldives as unsafe for diving or devaluing the entire boating and diving industry due to the actions of individual parties. The association called on the police, the Ministry of Tourism, and other relevant authorities to conduct a complete, fair, and transparent investigation, stressing that accountability must be based on verified evidence and that no unjust decisions should be made before the truth is clear. Additionally, the association expressed concerns about foreign vessels operating tourism activities in the country's marine areas without proper registration, Maldivian ownership, participation, or management roles, calling this a long-standing issue.