The High Commission of India in the Maldives has stated that the Third Joint Hydrographic Survey has allowed authorities to predict swell waves in some parts of the Maldives.
The Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Indian Naval Hydrographic Office conducted the Third Joint Hydrographic Survey in the northernmost region from January 19 to February 26. The formulated charts were handed over to Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi at a special ceremony in India upon the conclusion of the survey.
The High Commission of India stated that 6,308km were covered using sounding and 2,630km were surveyed. The survey also discovered 52 new shoals in Haa Alifu Atoll. The defence ministry stated that the new navigational charts will ensure safe navigation for all mariners with 100% GPS accuracy in the surveyed area and contribute to development.
The previous navigational maps of the northernmost region were made in 1934. The hydrographic surveys will facilitate the creation of small-scale and large-scale charts that are needed for the growing maritime activities and businesses in the regions.
The First Joint Hydrographic survey was carried out by the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Darshak in 2021 and the second survey was carried out by INS Sutlej in 2022.