Pattaya: Fears of a repeat of 2013 ferry tragedy - not enough life jackets for tourists

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Fears of a repeat (accident)

 

Daily News reported that safety regulations on the Pattaya to Koh Lan ferry were being flouted.

 

Only a few people on the large ferries were wearing life jackets for the crossing from Bali Hai port to the holiday island.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

And some boats didn't have the required number of jackets at all.

 

The media said they had received complaints from the public and went to investigate.

 

They found the area busy with many tourists in the hotels, restaurants and shops and large numbers travelling on boats.

 

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Picture: Daily News

 

There are two ways to get across; a 30 baht trip on a ferry that carries 150 persons or a 150 baht baht journey on a speedboat carrying 10-12 people. 

 

But while the media said passengers on speedboats were jacketed and following the rules, the ferries were not.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

They called on the authorities to crack down fearing a repeat of the ferry tragedy in November 2013 when seven foreign tourists and Thais died just 100 meters offshore when a ferry sank. 

 

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[trainman34014]

And where are the Government 'Inspectors' who's job it is to ensure Passenger Safety ?   Sitting at home emptying Brown Envelopes no doubt !

[Alcat]

There is no such thing in Thailand as a single disaster. They always repeat themselves. Remember the saying " You learn by your mistakes"  ?      Not in Thailand !

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

And some boats didn't have the required number of jackets at all.

Safety first Thailand.

[The Hammer2021]

The last time I used this ferry everyone was made to wear a 'man west' one Russian  refused and was told to leave the boat or the boat wasn't leaving the docks. That was 2017.

[Jumbo1968]

Why are they complaining, thousands drive round not wearing helmets or not wearing seat belts in cars.

[Smithson]

The company involved in the 2013 drownings changed it's name and kept operating. No surprises here.

[billd766]

There is an easy and simple fix for not enough life jackets.

 

Impound the ferry until there are enough life jackets (plus 10%) for all the passengers.

Stencil the ships name on each life jacket and the expiry date of the jackets and then do random checks at irregular intervals, and if there are not enough life jackets or they are out of date, just impound the ship until they are replaced.

[NE1]

29 minutes ago, billd766 said:

There is an easy and simple fix for not enough life jackets.

 

Impound the ferry until there are enough life jackets (plus 10%) for all the passengers.

Stencil the ships name on each life jacket and the expiry date of the jackets and then do random checks at irregular intervals, and if there are not enough life jackets or they are out of date, just impound the ship until they are replaced.

That means somebody has to get off their arris and do some work , ( not a lot of officials like doing that ) when it is much easier to sit in an office and wait for the " Postman with the Brown envelopes "

[SAFETY FIRST]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

a 30 baht trip on a ferry

Yes, I agree Safety First but it's going to have an impact on the price.

 

30 baht trips now becoming 60 baht, someone will have to pay for the extra costs to purchase the many life jackets. 

 

[Andycoops]

Thailand, the hub of health and safety...

[Stargeezr]

No life jackets, no helmets on motorcycles, no seat belts, hey this is Thailand that we are

talking about. No surprise.

[JeffersLos]

The need a submarine to keep an eye on this kind of behavior.