Nevi Launch Services Pvt Ltd, operating company for the launch that caught fire on Monday while docked at T-Jetty, revealed that the loss caused by the incident totals MVR 4 million.
The fire broke out aboard Nevi 3, one of the three vessels operated by the company, while it was being refuelled around 1530hrs.
Maldives Police Service has yet to reveal the cause of the incident since the investigation is ongoing.
Managing Director of Nevi Transfer Services Abdulla Ziyad told local media Mihaaru that Nevi 3's services commenced approximately one and a half years ago. The speedboat with a carrying capacity of 60 persons was the largest vessel of the company's fleet.
The company also operates two other speedboats with a carrying capacity of 25 persons each. Ziyad admitted that despite all the vessels being insured, the damages caused by their largest vessel going up in flames were significant.
According to sources, a total of 30 individuals had purchased tickets for Monday's transfer. The speedboat was scheduled to leave at 1600hrs.
Since the inception of Nevi Transfer Services three years ago, the company provided ferry operations to people between Male' and four islands in Alif Alif Atoll, in addition to three resorts.
Four crew members, including the captain, were on board the speedboat when the vessel erupted in flames.
Ziyad stated that the company is handling the financial costs for their treatment.
Although Nevi 3 caught fire and sank into Male's lagoon, two other speedboats are still in operation.
Three bowsers also burned in the incident. Most of the fuel bowsers in the area are owned by State Trading Organisation (STO)'s subsidiary company Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM).
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