Maldives
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MALDIVES
| Maldives | |
 The Maldives | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Male |
|---|---|
| Language: | Divehi, English |
| Currency: | Rufiya |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
The republic of the Maldives has been a crossroads for sea traders for many centuries and the origin of the people of this country is mixed. It is an independent republic, which has been inhabited for over 3,500 years. Not much is known of the early history, only that the language and some archaeological excavations indicate that the early settlers were from the southern Indian continent and Buddhist Singhalese from Sri Lanka.
History
- 1153 Islam was adopted after the visit of a Muslim saint.
- 1513 Male attacked by the Portuguese from Goa (India). They were thrown out shortly afterwards.
- 1558 Male captured again by the Portuguese until they were all killed by Muhammad Takurufanu.
- 1609 Male attacked by pirates who killed the Sultan and caused severe damage.
- 1631 The Portuguese attempted to storm Male but failed.
- 1649 Further attempts to take Male by the Portuguese.
- 1752 Male attacked by Ali Raja of Malabar. He stayed for few months until the Maldivian under the leadership of Hassan Manikufaru threw them out.Ali Raja continued to lay siege to Male until driven away with help of a French war fleet.
- 1761 An assault by the fleet of Ali Raja was beaten off by a brave counter attack using dhonis.
- 1818 A great famine occurred all over the islands and a big tornado struck, devastating many islands.
- 1835 The first survey of the islands was taken by the British Admiralty.
- 1887 The Maldives and Great Britain signed an agreement which gave the country the status of a liberal protected state.
- 1932 First written constitution was proclaimed.
- 1953 The first republic declared and dissolved. Sultanate reestablished.
- 1965 End of the British agreement and declaration of independence. Entry into the UN.
- 1968 Declaration of the second republic.
- 1976 The complete withdrawal of all British forces from the South.
Current situation Today the Maldives population is entirely Sunni Muslim and Islam is the religion of the state. During prayer times and on Fridays shops and offices will usually be closed. Islamic prayer times depend on the position of the sun. The Morning Prayer is at dawn, Noon Prayers are at midday, afternoon prayers between 15:00 and 16:00, and the last at sunset.
Maldivian or Dhivehi is the primary language but English is widely spoken. Alcohol, pornography, narcotic drugs, or pork products are not allowed to be imported. Some of these will be politely removed and stored until departure by Customs on arrival. Alcohol is widely available on resorts islands, but it is very expensive. The local islanders are very friendly and they don’t like conflicts. When you respect local customs and dress modestly in public places, in general the Maldivian will help you in any way they can.
Climate & Weather
There is not much difference in temperature during the year. This is tricky though, because of the difference in humidity and lesser wind it sure feels a lot warmer in the NE monsoon period (May to October).
Lying close to the equator, the monsoons are mild and calms common. The average temperature ranges between 25 and 31 °C throughout the year.
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
Local Radio Nets
Note: Many frequencies change quite frequent. All frequencies are USB unless stated otherwise. Local skeds between yachts are not listed.
Time (UTC)- Frequency, Station / description
- 00:30- 14323 Rowdies Net, weather from Madagascar to Hong Kong
- 04:03- 6216 Mayotte Radio CT, voice weather (French)
- 04:30- 8164 Mayotte Radio CT, voice weather (English)
- 04:30- 4483 East African marine Radio Net
- 04:45- 8101 East African marine Radio Net
- 05:00- 14316 East African marine Radio Net
- 05:00- 8292 Fred ‘Peri Peri’ SSB net, positions & weather
- 05:00- 13358 SA weather fax surface analysis
- 06:30- 7045 LSB Alistair ZS5MU, SA coastal weather reports
- 07:30- 13358 SA weather fax 5-day prognosis
- 07:30- 15615 OZ weather fax surface analysis
- 10:30- 13358 SA weather fax surface analysis
- 11:00- 13358 SA weather fax 5-day prognosis update
- 11:30- 14316 Alistair ZS5MU Ham net, positions & weather
- 12:00- 7045 LSB Alistair ZS5MU, as 11:30, for yachts close to SA
- 12:45- 15615 OZ weather fax 36hr prognosis
- 15:00- 8101 Fred ‘Peri Peri’ SSB net, positions & weather
- 15:30- 13358 SA weather fax surface analysis
- 16:30- 14314 Intermar DLOIMA.DJ4CD worldwide weather fax
- 19:15- 15615/18060/20469 OZ weather fax surface analysis
- 23:45- 15615 OZ weather fax 48hr prognosis
Arrival/Departure procedures
Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.
Immigration & Customs
Where available you can make use of agents which are present in Male and Uligamu (latter high season only) but it is not obligatory. In Male the bureaucracy is that much bigger then at the other points of entry that if you want to avoid running around yourself an agent would be recommendable (and some say inescapable).
The cost structure at all ports should be as follows (2006):
- Interatoll travel permission (initial 30 days) 10 USD.
- Extension of travel permission (another 60 days) 60 USD.
- Agent fee is usually around 50 USD.
- The check-out itself is free of charge, but an anchorage fee must be paid at check-out.
- Anchorage fees are only applicable for stays over 15 days, after that the fee is progressively build-up (beware, fees here can get as high as 500 USD).
At check in you will need several crew lists, passports and boat papers and you will have to fill out some forms. For the extension you need an additional passport photograph for each crewmember.
Visas
Submit information about what visitor's visas are available and where they are obtained.
Health & Security
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
Islands in the Group
List the islands here
Ports & Popular Stops
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
- SAILING THROUGH PARADISE. Cruising Guide to the Maldives - ISBN 978-90-811890-1-9. 52 pages full of info and detailed charts. A must have for those who sail these waters. Available for 10,- euro as pdf-file
CruiserLog Forum Discussions
Links to discussions on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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