The Story of the Maldives Victory Wreck
A ship built in 1958 in Liverpool, originally named MV Malatian, was later acquired by Maldives Shipping Limited in 1971 and renamed Maldives Victory. It became the only cargo ship transporting essential goods to the Maldives.
Under the Maldivian flag, the Maldives Victory, a 15,000-ton, 83-meter cargo ship, set sail from Singapore on February 3, 1981. With a crew of 31 and four passengers, she carried 65 barrels of petrol, 40 barrels of lubricating oil, and 1,080 tons of general goods, including resort construction materials, electronic items, baby food, and vehicles.
The sea was smooth under the command of Captain Raaid as they sailed for 10 days toward their final destination. On Friday, February 13, 1981, the ship was approaching Malé from the southeast channel to its anchorage point. While maneuvering, the captain made a steep turn to the starboard side to avoid the island of Funadhoo. However, before the turn could be completed, the ship struck the airport reef on its port side and became stuck.
Flooding began immediately, and the National Defense Force and presidential advisors instructed the captain, attempting all possible means to pull the ship free. Just after 4 AM, at high tide, the ship finally broke loose from the reef but sank to the seafloor at a depth of 36 meters. Fortunately, she remained upright, with her cargo floating around—biscuits, mattresses, and oil cans drifting in the water.
Salvaging the Cargo
To recover the lost goods, divers from all over the Maldives, both commercial and recreational, took part in the salvage operation for the Maldives Victory. The exact fees and terms of the deal remain unclear, but many divers volunteered their efforts, with authorities providing refreshments to encourage their work. While numerous items were recovered, only a few remained usable.
All salvaged goods were stored in a warehouse near customs, where an announcement was made for owners to verify and claim their belongings. To support businesses that suffered financial losses, the government granted duty-free import incentives for a period.
However, in the early days, some divers exploited the wreck, stealing valuable items such as navigation equipment, copper fittings, and even the ship’s anchors. Over time, only the skeletal remains of the vessel were left, becoming a habitat for marine life.
A ship built in 1958 in Liverpool, originally named MV Malatian, was later acquired by Maldives Shipping Limited in 1971 and renamed Maldives Victory. It became the only cargo ship transporting essential goods to the Maldives.
Under the Maldivian flag, the Maldives Victory, a 15,000-ton, 83-meter cargo ship, set sail from Singapore on February 3, 1981. With a crew of 31 and four passengers, she carried 65 barrels of petrol, 40 barrels of lubricating oil, and 1,080 tons of general goods, including resort construction materials, electronic items, baby food, and vehicles.
The sea was smooth under the command of Captain Raaid as they sailed for 10 days toward their final destination. On Friday, February 13, 1981, the ship was approaching Malé from the southeast channel to its anchorage point. While maneuvering, the captain made a steep turn to the starboard side to avoid the island of Funadhoo. However, before the turn could be completed, the ship struck the airport reef on its port side and became stuck.
Flooding began immediately, and the National Defense Force and presidential advisors instructed the captain, attempting all possible means to pull the ship free. Just after 4 AM, at high tide, the ship finally broke loose from the reef but sank to the seafloor at a depth of 36 meters. Fortunately, she remained upright, with her cargo floating around—biscuits, mattresses, and oil cans drifting in the water.
Salvaging the Cargo
To recover the lost goods, divers from all over the Maldives, both commercial and recreational, took part in the salvage operation for the Maldives Victory. The exact fees and terms of the deal remain unclear, but many divers volunteered their efforts, with authorities providing refreshments to encourage their work. While numerous items were recovered, only a few remained usable.
All salvaged goods were stored in a warehouse near customs, where an announcement was made for owners to verify and claim their belongings. To support businesses that suffered financial losses, the government granted duty-free import incentives for a period.
However, in the early days, some divers exploited the wreck, stealing valuable items such as navigation equipment, copper fittings, and even the ship’s anchors. Over time, only the skeletal remains of the vessel were left, becoming a habitat for marine life.
