Environmental impact assessment for submarine platform development

Abstract

The proposed project aims to build a small docking bay for the existing submarine services in a lagoon of the Male’ Atoll. The need for the project raised due to ongoing bridge project where it required some changes to the passage of vessels in North Male Atoll. The passage between Male and Villimale where the submarine is currently docked has been declared as free anchorage passage area and therefore the submarine operations needs to be shifted elsewhere. The proposed project include to build one resting pavilion and two docking areas on the lagoon that can be used in either of the monsoon. The main foreseen negative impacts are oil spills, waste generation, coral mortality which are mostly localized. The main positive impact is the prevention of job loss of employees that work for the submarine operations and the preservation of a one-of-a kind tourism venture in the Maldives. It is advised to carry on with the project with proper mitigation measures such as regular maintenance of machinery, following chemical handling procedures, adhering strictly to existing regulations and using silt screens to prevent spread of turbidity plumes. The alternatives of the project have also been studied such as the no project option, change of location, change of design and change of technology usage. However, it was seen that the best options within the comparisons were to proceed with the project as proposed.