Captains of landing craft, tug boats and barges often unqualified: Transport Ministry

Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has stated that oftentimes in Maldives, landing craft, tug boats and barges are operated by Captains who lack the required capacity and qualifications. 

However, the ministry's announcement did not specify actions that would be taken in regards to this. 

The announcement has come in the wake of a tragic incident outside MPL port on November 2, where the capsizing of a landing craft led to the deaths of two individuals. 

MPL conducted an internal investigation into the incident, with preliminary findings indicating that the captain of the landing craft did not hold the appropriate license, and that the landing craft had capsized due to an excavator loaded onto the vessel being moved to a side on his instructions. 

MPL stated that operating the landing craft required a license for vessels over 100 gross tonnage, which the captain did not possess. 

This is the third incident of the kind within the year, with each having resulted in loss of life. 

The Transport Ministry's announcement conceded that failure to comply with regulations in operating heavy vessels has led to multiple dangerous incidents. Through inspections, the ministry said that they had learned that vessels such as landing craft, tug boats and barges are often operated by persons who do not hold the necessary qualifications. 

The ministry reminded that:

- Metal vessels larger than 100 gross tonnes can be operated by captains who possess Certificate of Competency 3000 gross tonne. 

- Metal vessels longer than 24 meters or upto 100 gross tonnage can be operated by Captains with certification and authorization to operate vessels of a capacity akin to the gross tonnage of the vessel. 

The ministry also advised that cargo be loaded in proportion to the vessel's size.