Phuket marine chief removed over Phoenix boat tragedy

 

 

The Marine Department has ordered an immediate transfer of the chief officer of Phuket Marine Office and the setting up of a panel to consider disciplinary action against him for alleged dereliction of duty that led to the sinking of Phoenix drive boat off Phuket on July 5, resulting in the deaths of 47 Chinese tourists.

 

An informed Marine Department source said that the Phuket Marine Office director was alleged to have allowed Phoenix dive boat to venture out to sea for a tour of Koy Heh and Koh Mai Thon despite earlier warning of rough seas and for all vessels to anchor at port. Besides, the actual number of passengers on board did not match the passenger’s manifest.

 

The source said the director was also alleged to have issued a permit to Phoenix vessel despite its questionable seaworthiness.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/phuket-marine-chief-removed-phoenix-boat-tragedy/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-07-15

Ohhh Khun Phuripat not more alone and needs a second chair in his Nonthaburi marine office for his new buddy lol.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

An informed Marine Department source said that the Phuket Marine Office director was alleged to have allowed Phoenix dive boat to venture out to sea for a tour of Koy Heh and Koh Mai Thon despite earlier warning of rough seas and for all vessels to anchor at port. Besides, the actual number of passengers on board did not match the passenger’s manifest.

I see a scapegoat has been found (or is it a sacrificial octopus in this case). It's something that's always necessary in times like these.

 

Firstly, I will state that know nothing about boats. However, I'm pretty sure someone on TV said earlier that the "warning of rough seas" indicating it was not safe to sail, was advisory only.

 

Regarding the "number of passengers on board did not match the passenger's manifest." Are we to believe that an official inspects this document each and every time prior to sailing (and does a head count of physical number of passengers)? Of course not - only after a tragedy, in order to apportion blame.

 

Where would we be without the time-honoured tradition of "setting up of a panel to consider disciplinary action."

 

Hard to have any sympathy for the head of the Marine Office losing his job.

They are the agency responsible for allowing jet skis and parasailing boats unfettered access to most of the beaches and Islands in Phuket when other businesses have been removed.

Wonder why that is. 

As per, no job lost just a sideways shuffle to a less lucrative area to continue his practice of signing off on whatever when the envelopes fat enough.

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The source said the director was also alleged to have issued a permit to Phoenix vessel despite its questionable seaworthiness.

Was there a reason to think that this vessels' seaworthiness was questionable before this calamity occurred? 

 

This boat was built two years ago or so. Who is responsible for a seaworthiness certificate in this country?

 

With all due respect (very little) I think his name is "No one".

 

 

53 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Hard to have any sympathy for the head of the Marine Office losing his job.

They are the agency responsible for allowing jet skis and parasailing boats unfettered access to most of the beaches and Islands in Phuket when other businesses have been removed.

Wonder why that is. 

We don't wonder anymore,  We know what goes on.  He was possibly chief in name only.   Some of the best times of my life have been on the water, and loved being part of others happy experiences too.   This is just profoundly sad. 

2 hours ago, Old Croc said:

Hard to have any sympathy for the head of the Marine Office losing his job.

And transferred - not fired.

Another fully paid employee at an inactive station?

Does anyone in this country do their job properly without lining their pockets...if it wasn't for the Internet this country would still be in the dark about life,the world and what actually happens around it.typical Thai way of sorting a problem out after the horse has bolted.now they'll just fill the vacancy with another greedy light fingered lazy moron who don't know what the hell hes doing.how about sacking the guy who gave the chief his job and go up the chain to the top.then again thinking about it they would only get another load of the same people in.

7 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

And transferred - not fired.

Another fully paid employee at an inactive station?

I hope not road carnage exploration...☹️

2 hours ago, 300sd said:

Was there a reason to think that this vessels' seaworthiness was questionable before this calamity occurred? 

 

This boat was built two years ago or so. Who is responsible for a seaworthiness certificate in this country?

 

With all due respect (very little) I think his name is "No one".

 

 

And even if there 'was one' do you think he would be doing his job properly ?

Double Post.

Happy Chappie, you got it the wrong way round

They line their pockets & turn a blind eye to "doing their job properly

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

And transferred - not fired.

Another fully paid employee at an inactive station?

 

Yes transferred.  But nowhere gives so many fat envelopes than Phuket. So downgrade in money, but no need to feel sorry for him. Scum always rises to the top, he'll be more than Ok. 

Someone was supposed to do it and everyone thought someone had done it but no-one asked anyone if someone had done it because they were sure someone had done it.

If someone had asked everyone then someone would have known no-one did it. Anyone could have done it and then told everyone but no-one did so it means that everyone is guilty of doing nothing.

If the vessel passed a reasonable design and inspection as an (inspected vessel)that’s liscenced for passengers to you landlubbers(no offense intended)then the fault is clearly with the operator if they don’t have a robust design/inspection/ certification for vessels and crew then the fault should be shared 

17 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Yes transferred.  But nowhere gives so many fat envelopes than Phuket. So downgrade in money, but no need to feel sorry for him. Scum always rises to the top, he'll be more than Ok. 

Yes, and this is the real reason why corruption flourishes in Thailand.

The only consequence of being caught is that you may lose the opportunity to continue raking in the money. You won't be sacked, and you won't go to prison. Looking at it from the Thai official's point of view, there's actually no reason NOT to be corrupt, so on it goes...

Just a few observations from a speed boat tour operator in Phuket.....

 

(1) Manifests are NEVER EVER subject to any outside scrutiny. Operationally it is important that they are 100% accurate to ensure the customer insurance cover is accurate. Of course not all operators respect the need for full coverage and i am aware (albeit 3rd hand) that a Chinese fatality from last year was not initially covered by insurance and the name was added post accident after some serious pressure applied.

 

(2) Weather warning broadcasts are improving and have been coming thick and fast post Phoenix. Still some gaps though with poorly drafted messages (no clear definitions of key terms). The rely on Line for broadcast.

 

(3) For most licence and regulatory items 'souvenir' payments need to be made and whilst frustrating is viewed simply a cost of doing business. The latest requirement is that boats must now only carry National Park approved/supplied jackets. Now this in itself is not such a big deal (as the quality seems quite good) but an extra 100k I did not budget for given my existing jacket compliment is in good condition. oh.....could never work out why the payment has to go to a personal account of a staffer <deleted>!

20 hours ago, Srikcir said:

22 hours ago, Old Croc said:

Hard to have any sympathy for the head of the Marine Office losing his job.

And transferred - not fired.

Another fully paid employee at an inactive station?

He lost his job as chief officer of Phuket Marine Office.

It was reported here that it was not against the law to go to sea that day,  If the harbour master does not have the legal power to prevent boats from leaving in poor weather, why should any one be held responsible when it seems to be a free for all.

Ironic that a story of tragedy shares the headlines with one of great success. Both have lessons to share. Wonder what the media will focus on the longest?

This guy probably had some level of responsibility for what happened with the sinking of the boat and the resulting mass tourist deaths.

 

So while I have no sympathy for him as a result, I can't help but feel like the transfer order is merely a scapegoat move to cover for an entire system and government that exists by failing to ensure safety for anyone anywhere in so many different ways.