45m explorer yacht Big Fish fined £232k following reef damage in Maldives

The 45-metre explorer yacht Big Fish has been fined MVR 4.8 million (approximately £232,000) after she damaged a reef in the Maldives.

The superyacht ran aground on the reef of Alif Dhaal Atoll earlier this year (28 April) and was removed by authorities the following day. In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ran a survey in collaboration with surveyors appointed by the vessel's owner. The inspection revealed that a 187-square-metre area of coral reef had suffered "significant damage". 

According to the EPA, the owner company was officially fined this month (4 August) and has been instructed to pay the agency within 30 days.

Big Fish was commissioned by Hong Kong-based businessman Richard Beattie as a purpose-built, large-volume explorer yacht. The McMullen & Wing build is best known for her innovative use of glass – the yacht has some 250 square metres of custom laminated windows with UV protection properties - and her three-level atrium which features a high-tech video wall and a large skylight. 

Her rugged exterior is owed to Canadian designer Gregory C. Marshall, who currently collaborates with the likes of  Westport Yachts, Ocean Alexander and Dunya Yachts.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.