Maldives Police Service, on Tuesday, confirmed its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Mohamed Yoosuf, captain of 'TTS Fern' boat, which ran aground a reef near Kagi, Kaafu Atoll.
The 37-year-old native of Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll was reported missing to the coastguard on Monday morning at 8am while testimonials from other boat captains travelling in the area confirmed that they witnessed 3 people on the boat and that it had run aground much earlier on Sunday morning.
According to local media Mihaaru, it is unclear whether the captain went missing after falling off the boat or whether he got lost while inspecting the accident after the vessel ran aground.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is yet to release a statement regarding the nature of the disappearance. MNDF divers are currently searching the area for the missing boat captain.
The boat measures about 100 feet in length and is used by Total Transport Solutions (TTS) Maldives Pvt Ltd for the movement of goods and supply. It is unknown whether TTS was transporting goods or travelling back to Male' after unloading cargo when it ran aground the reef.
The two foreign crew members on TTS Fern still remain aboard the vessel.
TTS Maldives has initiated the process of recovering the vessel. The company declined to comment on the incident citing police's ongoing investigation.
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