Thai rescuers prepare to raise sunken tourist boat, 41 confirmed dead

[rooster59]

Thai rescuers prepare to raise sunken tourist boat, 41 confirmed dead

 

Thai Rescue workers sit next to the body of a victim on a stretcher, after a boat capsized off the tourist island of Phuket, Thailand July 7, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK/PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - Rescuers in Thailand prepared to lift a sunken tourist boat on Sunday and said 15 people are still missing after the craft capsized off the coast of Phuket island, killing at least 41 people.

 

The Phoenix - which had 105 people on board, including 93 Chinese tourists and 12 Thai crew - went down in bad weather on Thursday evening, in one of Thailand's worst recent accidents.

 

Police on Saturday said they have charged the ship's captain with negligence leading to damages, injury and death.

 

The captain, who was police did not name, has denied the charges.

 

"The captain of the boat has been charged with negligence causing damages and loss of life," Police Lieutenant General Sorasak Yenprem, provincial police commissioner, said on Saturday.

 

A note circulated by rescue workers invited reporters to join an effort on Sunday to raise the sunken Phoenix.

 

Forty-one of those on board have been confirmed dead and another 49 rescued, officials said, leaving 15 unaccounted for.

 

Divers have been searching inside the submerged vessel for any survivors. Helicopters have also joined the search.

 

Friends and relatives of those injured and deceased have arrived in Phuket to identify their loved ones.

 

Visibly distraught relatives were seen being escorted through one hospital on the island's east coast to a waiting room.

 

The Phoenix overturned in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Ko He, which is a popular one-day trip from Phuket.

 

The islet is known for its powdery beach and coral reefs.

 

Two other boats, including a yacht, also capsized in the same area on Thursday, but their passengers were brought safely to shore, officials said.

 

Some Thais have questioned why the boat was even at sea during bad weather.

 

In an urgent circular on Saturday, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said tourism departments across China should carry out security checks against hidden risks to ensure travel safety during the summer period.

 

It also stressed the importance of researching online travel companies when booking overseas trips.

 

Many of the tourists involved in the Phuket accident booked their trips independently via online tourism platforms, the ministry said.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-07-08

[4MyEgo]

Would never get on a boat in Thailand, its all about the $'s as opposed to the safety, I mean could you imagine having to refund or provide a credit for 93 Chinese tourists because the weather was going to change, nope, can't have that, Buddha will keep us all safe and our pockets full, besides we have our amulets on. 

Edited July 8, 2018 by 4MyEgo

[Darcula]

13 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Thai rescuers prepare to raise sunken tourist boat

 

I'm no medical doctor, but after 3 days under water it's no longer a rescue operation.

[NCC1701A]

" In an urgent circular on Saturday, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said tourism departments across China should carry out security checks against hidden risks to ensure travel safety during the summer period."

 

like banning all travel to Thailand?

[Vacuum]

13 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

" In an urgent circular on Saturday, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said tourism departments across China should carry out security checks against hidden risks to ensure travel safety during the summer period."

 

like banning all travel to Thailand?

Keep your fingers crossed.

[Old Croc]

28 minutes ago, Darcula said:

 

I'm no medical doctor, but after 3 days under water it's no longer a rescue operation.

It happens:

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-25205914/moment-divers-found-man-trapped-alive-in-sunken-ship

[quadperfect]

The captain is going to be the fall guy and partially should but no more than the owners and harbour authority if there is such a thing.

A warning should have been sent to shelter. Or return to shelter

This storm was not local it lasted 4 hours. Thai met is at fault too because they too often send out vague warnings and nothing happens ,and then no warnings and we get hammered. Yes this day the warning came a few minutes before the storm

This could finally be the turning point for chinese mayhem in phuket. And possibly set up a few more safety campaigns. Or am i just cought up in the moment?

[meinphuket]

Year after year these things happen. Not always deadly, but not thanks to the crews. The boat mob always ignore storm warnings, and who cares if they risk their own lives, but innocent others ? And as usual only after the fact, boats are forbidden to leave port. But why not impose this BEFORE ? May the owner of the boat company and the staff involved all go to prison for a very long time.

[LivinginKata]

1 hour ago, quadperfect said:

<snip>

This storm was not local it lasted 4 hours.

 

Wrong. It was local and lasted 2 hours. I know cos I watched it in person and also on TMD gov radar web site.

 

Mind you the various captains must have seen it coming. 6 did, and sought shelter. 2 did not, and sunk. 

[ChrisY1]

The top man in Phuket is the governor..then come....health and safety personnel, competent operators, capable marine authority, inspectors, police etc.....all part of the payment plan to keep the tourist dollars flowing and hotels full...and they all failed!

[tifino]

2 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

The top man in Phuket is the governor..then come....health and safety personnel, competent operators, capable marine authority, inspectors, police etc.....all part of the payment plan to keep the tourist dollars flowing and hotels full...and they all failed!

 

the buck always stops with the big boss, so it's curtains for the Governer now!

 

have to go into exile...

[LivinginKata]

And they don't even have any salvage lift air bags. Asking for the public to donate 200 L containers.  Has that very nearby Thai naval base no salvage equipment .... 

[quadperfect]

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Wrong. It was local and lasted 2 hours. I know cos I watched it in person and also on TMD gov radar web site.

 

Mind you the various captains must have seen it coming. 6 did, and sought shelter. 2 did not, and sunk. 

A local storm means it lasts 20 to 30 minutes and it can be raining in chalong and dry in kata.

Dude i was in it on my boat in chalong. It lasted 4 hours. It started at 3 pm  from the west , and it ended at 7 pm

It peaked at 5 at 56 knots but it was blowing 40 still at 6 pm.  At 6 pm I was heading out to sea to help a friend when everyone else was headed in.  At 7 it was all over,just like that.

The sea was rough. Rough as i have seen here in 10 years.

I suppose you were watching from youre balcony then.

 

[quadperfect]

2 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Wrong. It was local and lasted 2 hours. I know cos I watched it in person and also on TMD gov radar web site.

 

Mind you the various captains must have seen it coming. 6 did, and sought shelter. 2 did not, and sunk. 

So if you were watching this unfold on governmet web site then so should the marine department or harbour and issue warnings on vhf radio to all boats.

But that would mean someone needs to be working and vigilant and also that vhf radios are actually on a boat. Something for some reason does not happen here. In all asia.

it also explains why you only saw 2 hours of weather. Probobly a radar glitch. I dont know but something very easily could change the way safety is handled at sea here.

[Ulic]

7 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Would never get on a boat in Thailand, its all about the $'s as opposed to the safety, I mean could you imagine having to refund or provide a credit for 93 Chinese tourists because the weather was going to change, nope, can't have that, Buddha will keep us all safe and our pockets full, besides we have our amulets on. 

I have no problems boarding boats in Thailand (or Philippines). I swim well, the water is warm and I have planned an egress point and seat that will allow for a quick exit. I also look for the fire escape when staying at hotels and wear a seatbelt when I am in a taxi. In Thailand/Philippines be aware. You are in a developing country. No regulations, or no enforcement of regulations. Life is cheap.  

[LivinginKata]

1 hour ago, quadperfect said:

A local storm means it lasts 20 to 30 minutes and it can be raining in chalong and dry in kata.

Dude i was in it on my boat in chalong. It lasted 4 hours. It started at 3 pm  from the west , and it ended at 7 pm

It peaked at 5 at 56 knots but it was blowing 40 still at 6 pm.  At 6 pm I was heading out to sea to help a friend when everyone else was headed in.  At 7 it was all over,just like that.

The sea was rough. Rough as i have seen here in 10 years.

I suppose you were watching from youre balcony then.

 

 

Yes. I was watching from my balcony in Kata and also TMD rain radar site.

 

Good to know you are a local mariner and not some far away keyboard cowboy.

 

I too am a mariner and have studied weather. I watched the front roll through at near 16,00. Chalong is only 3 klicks at most east. It was moving fast so say 10 minutes later for you. The worst of it was over in Kata about 18.00. So I don't disagree with your 19.00. I do dispute your 15.00 start. 

 

But let's not bickers. Many people dies. God bless their souls.

 

 

[Just Weird]

7 hours ago, Darcula said:

 

I'm no medical doctor, but after 3 days under water it's no longer a rescue operation.

Did someone say that it was (in connection with raising the boat)?

[4MyEgo]

32 minutes ago, Ulic said:

I have no problems boarding boats in Thailand (or Philippines). I swim well, the water is warm and I have planned an egress point and seat that will allow for a quick exit. I also look for the fire escape when staying at hotels and wear a seatbelt when I am in a taxi. In Thailand/Philippines be aware. You are in a developing country. No regulations, or no enforcement of regulations. Life is cheap.  

I am like you, do exactly the same, but the only boat adventure I went on with was an Aussie couple who run a business in Phuket, better someone you know is trained well back with with regulations, couldn't fault them.

[quadperfect]

4 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Yes. I was watching from my balcony in Kata and also TMD rain radar site.

 

Good to know you are a local mariner and not some far away keyboard cowboy.

 

I too am a mariner and have studied weather. I watched the front roll through at near 16,00. Chalong is only 3 klicks at most east. It was moving fast so say 10 minutes later for you. The worst of it was over in Kata about 18.00. So I don't disagree with your 19.00. I do dispute your 15.00 start. 

 

But let's not bickers. Many people dies. God bless their souls.

 

 

My bad i just looked at the time i posted on the warning issued by the thai met it was at 4 14 pm

That was the exact moment the front hit. I had just posted.

I was quite buissy as my anchore was draging as it was fouled by a discarded  fishing net. My friends  boat broke loose from his anchore and chain so it was chaos. For whatever reason 3 pm was my recolection

But yes god bless those lost that day. 

 

[impulse]

5 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

6 hours ago, Ulic said:

I have no problems boarding boats in Thailand (or Philippines). I swim well, the water is warm and I have planned an egress point and seat that will allow for a quick exit. I also look for the fire escape when staying at hotels and wear a seatbelt when I am in a taxi. In Thailand/Philippines be aware. You are in a developing country. No regulations, or no enforcement of regulations. Life is cheap.  

I am like you, do exactly the same, but the only boat adventure I went on with was an Aussie couple who run a business in Phuket, better someone you know is trained well back with with regulations, couldn't fault them.

 

That sounds reasonable in theory, planning an egress point.  But looking at the photos of the Phoenix, if more than 20% of the passengers had the same plan, there would be a fight for a space with a reasonable access to an egress point.  Leaving 80%+ of the passengers at the mercy of sheer, dumb luck when it hits the fan.

 

I've hopped on a river boat in BKK and been pushed by the crowds (and the nimrods packing the crowds in) to where I would have struggled had there been an accident.  I got off at the next pier and hopped a taxi.  Which was probably even more dangerous, but it didn't feel that way.

 

 

[4MyEgo]

8 hours ago, impulse said:

 

That sounds reasonable in theory, planning an egress point.  But looking at the photos of the Phoenix, if more than 20% of the passengers had the same plan, there would be a fight for a space with a reasonable access to an egress point.  Leaving 80%+ of the passengers at the mercy of sheer, dumb luck when it hits the fan.

 

I've hopped on a river boat in BKK and been pushed by the crowds (and the nimrods packing the crowds in) to where I would have struggled had there been an accident.  I got off at the next pier and hopped a taxi.  Which was probably even more dangerous, but it didn't feel that way.

 

 

Good point, I am assuming the boat was overloaded, but haven't heard anything to state that yet, although the driver has been charged and the company had its license suspended, that in itself tells me, their A.. is handing out

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Good point, I am assuming the boat was overloaded, but haven't heard anything to state that yet, although the driver has been charged and the company had its license suspended, that in itself tells me, their A.. is handing out

The boat was not overloaded.