Seventy Three Tourists Rescued after Speedboat Capsized in Satun

[webfact]

 

A tourist speedboat, “Bandaya 19,” capsized near Bubu Island, about 3 km from Satun’s Lipe Island, Sunday (Dec 24). The boat carried 73 tourists, including 3 children and 4 crew members.

 

The Navy’s 491st Special Warfare Squadron quickly responded to the emergency, rescuing everyone on board. The capsizing was caused by strong waves, leading to a breach in the hull. The passengers, all wearing life jackets, were safely transferred to another speedboat, “Ploy Siam 559.”

 

Five passengers suffered injuries from swallowing seawater, one needed stitches, and ten others had minor injuries. They received medical care at Koh Lipe Hospital and were then allowed to return to their accommodations.

 

The “Bandaya 19” sank shortly after the rescue. Authorities arranged transport for the rescued passengers to Phuket and Lanta Island, ensuring everyone’s safety following the incident.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2023-12-26

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[Pique Dard]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A tourist speedboat, “Bandaya 19,” capsized near Bubu Island, about 3 km from Satun’s Lipe Island, Sunday (Dec 24). The boat carried 73 tourists, including 3 children and 4 crew members.

...this is the second time in just a few days that tourists have almost drowned in thai waters! let's hope there won't be a third incident!

[2baht]

Here we go again..... I wouldn't board a Thai tourist boat if they were giving free passage!.........or a bus.....or a mocy.....or a truck.....or a.........................................!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The Navy’s 491st Special Warfare Squadron quickly responded to the emergency, rescuing everyone on board. The capsizing was caused by strong waves, leading to a breach in the hull. The passengers, all wearing life jackets, were safely transferred to another speedboat,

All aboard, don't worry about the sea conditions it'll be fine.

[neeray]

36 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Here we go again..... I wouldn't board a Thai tourist boat if they were giving free passage!.........or a bus.....or a mocy.....or a truck.....or a.........................................!

My Thai gf and I took a speed boat tour to Phi Phi along with about 20 other tourists, from Ao Nang. As a life long boater in my home country of Canada, I observed nothing but professionalism from the boat operators, same for the other dozens of speed boats that joined us at Phi Phi.

[VinnieK]

Boat travelling at max speed?

Nah...Thais never do that.

[2baht]

18 minutes ago, neeray said:

My Thai gf and I took a speed boat tour to Phi Phi along with about 20 other tourists, from Ao Nang. As a life long boater in my home country of Canada, I observed nothing but professionalism from the boat operators, same for the other dozens of speed boats that joined us at Phi Phi.

How high was the swell?

[2baht]

20 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

All aboard, don't worry about the sea conditions it'll be fine.

Roll up, roll up, everyones a winner! 

[neeray]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

How high was the swell?

That was 6 years ago and I don't recall exactly, but the swells were certainly more than I'd ever experienced in The Great Lakes shared by USA and Canada. The skipper handled his boat, powered by two big Mercs, with great skill. The swells were big enough that I had taken note of the location of life jackets when we started out.

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, 2baht said:

Here we go again..... I wouldn't board a Thai tourist boat if they were giving free passage!.........or a bus.....or a mocy.....or a truck.....or a.........................................!

....except you got a lot of saving amulets round your neck......🫶

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

...this is the second time in just a few days that tourists have almost drowned in thai waters! let's hope there won't be a third incident!

There have been a few more than that.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/seven-boats-sink-in-gulf-and-andaman-sea-in-four-days-eight-people-still-missing/

 

and at least two more since that article.

It is going to be interesting with the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan tomorrow and another one on 31/12.

 

Mind you, the forecast is looking a bit better and people have been arriving to catch ferries all week.

[2baht]

4 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

....except you got a lot of saving amulets round your neck......🫶

Shhhh! I don't really think they work, it's just a myth!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, 2baht said:

Roll up, roll up, everyones a winner! 

Swimmer

[Searat7]

Speed boats used here are poorly built (thin hull) and often overpowered. Then they load boats with too many people and the captain drives like a cowboy. A recipe for disaster.

[Hanuman2547]

It's good to hear that lives were saved.  A few had to go to the hospital.  Did the tour boat company pick up the hospital bill?  Or is it a "You pay bill now".  "Settle with tour boat company later."

[xtrnuno41]

Phew, luckily didnt happen in my time when i used it.