The Ministry of Tourism has introduced safety standards to minimize accidents during watersports and other tourist activities in the Maldives. These guidelines aim to prevent incidents that have previously resulted in tragedies during water-based and beach-related excursions.
In a circular issued on Thursday to tourism service providers, the ministry announced plans to develop formal regulations for safer practices. Until then, the circular outlines safety measures that must be adhered to by councils, guesthouses, hotels, homestays, tourist vessels, and diving service operators.
Key safety measures include:
- Providing participants with safety information before any watersports activity.
- Ensuring all aquatic equipment meets safety standards and is used for its intended purpose.
- Conducting activities in designated zones specifically marked for each sport.
- Requiring tourists who cannot swim to wear life jackets during watersports.
- Monitoring weather conditions closely, with activities suspended during weather warnings or unsafe conditions identified by instructors.
- Using color-coded flags or surface balloons (white, yellow, orange, red, or green) to signal weather changes.
- Maintaining a means of communication between instructors and the aquatic center for emergency preparedness.
- Keeping a logbook of participants, including their names and identification or passport numbers.
The ministry emphasized the importance of these measures to mitigate risks for tourists, who are the primary participants in water-based and beach activities. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to enhance safety standards within the Maldivian tourism industry.
