The tons of construction gravel dumped to re-float the Vietnamese cargo vessel which ran aground in Fuvahmulah in August has begun to wash ashore causing damage to the beach.
MV NGOC Son ran aground on the reef to the south of Fuvahmulah while carrying water and sewerage material to the island for Sri Lankan contractor Sierra. A Singaporean salvage company had been hired to re-float the vessel which was forced to dump over 5,000 tonnes of construction sand and gravel to lighten the ship.
The Fuvahmulah Council said the gravel have been washing ashore ever since it was dumped and that it has been causing some damages.
The council also said the gravel are washing ashore on a beach where 'Kalhu Akiri' (black coral) normally found.
There were 20 crew members on board the 102.79 meter long 17 meter wide ship when it ranaground. No one was injured during the incident.
The Maldives government has granted a period of maximum one month for the cargo vessel to decide upon a compensation procedure for the damages caused to the reef which Environment Protection Agency (EPA) estimates to be MVR 633.7 million.
The Maldives’ Environment Protection and Preservation Act states that the maximum fine for environmental damages is MVR 100 million. However, the state holds the authority to approve larger fines based on investigations into damages.
It had taken a month to re-float the vessel. The vessel was being tugged to Sri Lankan capital Colombo for repairs when it capsized later.
