In Phuket, a ban has been issued on boats shorter than 10 metres leaving the shore until Saturday, June 10, due to heavy weather conditions. The order, issued by Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchaphong Pranit, applies to all sailing and motor yachts up to 32.8 feet. The ban comes as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in the maritime industry, particularly in light of the Phoenix tragedy’s fifth anniversary.

 

On June 5, 2018, the tour boat Phoenix capsized and sank in stormy conditions south of Phuket, resulting in the loss of 47 Chinese tourists. This incident remains Thailand’s worst modern maritime disaster.

 

In line with the order, all boat operators must strictly follow the authorities’ directives and closely monitor weather updates during this period of strong winds and high waves. Natchaphong cited a weather warning from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), which predicts strong wind waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand due to a southwest monsoon and an active low-pressure cell covering the coast of Myanmar.

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Top Photo Courtesy of Flickr (Thejus Valsan)

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-bans-small-boats-until-saturday-amid-heavy-weather

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-07

 

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I am still waiting for the tmd to get their forecasts right.

Edited June 7, 20233 yr by stevenl