Underwater beauty is a key motivating factor for tourists to visit the Maldives (Ministry of Tourism, 2019). The purpose of this project is to provide a different underwater experience for the resort’s guests, by creating a wreck dive site in an accessible location nearby the resort. The wreck is expected to attract marine life and provide base for corals and other organisms to grow. Overtime the wreck will be a key feature to attract more recreational divers and tourists to the area. The proposed shipwreck site is located east of Dhigurah Island, in the inner atoll lagoon. The GPS coordinate of the wreck site is Latitude 5.730585°, Longitude 73.368229°. There are no Marine Protected Areas within a 5 km radius of the proposed shipwreck site.

The Project Proponent proposes to scuttle MIFCO 101 (IMO number: 8614912) vessel (Figure 2-1) to create the shipwreck. The overall length of the vessel is 56.87 m and the breadth is 9.5 m. The engine and any remaining fuel and oil on the vessel has been removed and cleaned.

Prior to scuttling the vessel, a team of scuba divers will inspect the proposed wreck site to ensure that the site is free of live corals and other marine organisms.

A final inspection of the vessel will be undertaken prior to transporting it to the site. This is to ensure there are no hazardous materials and fouling organisms on the craft. If any hazardous material or fouling organisms are observed, they will be removed and cleaned.

The vessel will be towed and positioned at the proposed wreck site using a tugboat.