The Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA) has found through its survey that no major damage was caused to the Male' reef from the two boats that went adrift and ran aground the reef earlier this month.

ERA Chief Executive Hassaan Mohamed shared with Mihaaru News today that there were some surface scratches to the eastern Male' reef caused by these two boats. The survey showed that this impact, too, was found on specific spots, and not on the entirety of the reef in the area. 

The largest impacted area measures 8.4 meters by 6.7 meters. 

As per the ERA survey, there had been low coral growth in the area where the boats ran aground. 

While the incident of the two boats going adrift occurred on September 10, ERA's survey was conducted only yesterday. The ERA previously said that this delay was caused by unfavourable weather conditions. 

The two vessels, which had entered Maldivian waters without authorization, had been moored between Dhoonidhoo and Male' when strong winds and rough weather caused damage to the anchor rode, sending the two vessels adrift. 

One of the boats ran aground the Male' reef near the Carnival area before being pulled by the tides and colliding with the Sinamale' Bridge. 

The Infrastructure Minister cited inspections by the CHEC and confirmed there was no structural damage to the bridge, and only surface scratches were caused. 

After hitting the bridge, the boats moved under the bridge and drifted towards the southern side of Male'. Later, MNDF revealed that the boats had sunk 30 nautical miles outside of Maldivian territory.