The owner of a tugboat that ran aground on 'Dhiyaneru Faru' on September 23 last year has been fined MVR 20 million.
In a statement issued today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the tugboat AM Adway ran aground Dhiyaneru Faru along with a barge named Aaron. Both vessels were refloated the next day and an EPA team surveyed the area four days later to assess the damage to the reef.
The EPA found that 804 sqm of the reef was damaged by the tugboat. However, no damage was reported from the barge.
The Middle East Marine LLC, the owner of the tug, was fined MVR 20 million under the Environmental Act and given 30 days to pay the fine. The fine was imposed on Monday.
