National Boating Association of Maldives Calls for Fair Probe into Diver Unrest

The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has called for a fair investigation into the unrest involving divers that took place in the waters of the country. In a press statement issued yesterday, NBAM stated that videos of this recent incident, which included members of the diving teams from Maldives Legend Liveaboard and Infinity X, have circulated widely on social media and international platforms, and that this is a serious matter requiring a thorough investigation. It also stated that if any party has acted unlawfully or negligently, appropriate measures must be taken to prove it according to the laws of the country. NBAM has appealed to stop rushing to conclusions, making general accusations, and pointing fingers at each other within the boating and diving sectors of the country. According to the association, the actions of certain individuals should not undermine the reputation of the entire sector or portray the Maldives as an unsafe destination for diving. Therefore, the association has called on the Maldives Police Service, the Ministry of Tourism, and other relevant authorities to conduct a complete, transparent investigation based on confirmed evidence and take legal action against those responsible. In addition to this incident, NBAM has expressed concern over the issue of foreign vessels operating tourism activities under the names of companies registered in the Maldives without genuine participation or ownership involvement by Maldivians. According to the statement, Infinity X was originally operated as a foreign vessel but was later converted to operate under a company registered in the Maldives due to changes in regulations. However, questions have arisen regarding the actual level of Maldivian participation and control in its operation. To protect the security afforded to Maldivian businesses, the association has requested that the true ownership and management structure of such companies be examined to prevent indirect business operations by foreign entities. Furthermore, NBAM has drawn attention to discrepancies in the information regarding the cabins and space capacity of Infinity X. According to the association, although the vessel is registered under Goloo Maldives Private Limited in the Ministry of Tourism registry with 20 cabins and 40 beds, international booking platforms including Liveaboard.com advertise it as having 19 cabins and space for a maximum of 30 tourists. Consequently, the Ministry of Tourism has been called upon to ensure the accuracy of the licensed capacity for the vessel and to uniformly enforce regulations across all vessels. The NBAM statement noted that monitoring must be strengthened to protect Maldivian businesses and job opportunities from unfair competition arising from hurdles related to foreign investments. Additionally, acknowledging that unsubstantiated accusations could harm the entire industry, the association has urged responsibility in disseminating information related to this incident and called for collaboration among all parties to ensure tourist safety and law enforcement.