Gps Navigation, Insurance Required Under Draft Marine-Safety Plan

[Rimmer]

GPS navigation, insurance required under draft marine-safety plan
PATTAYA:--Pattaya would build a Global Positioning System-based navigation system to monitor tourist-boat traffic and require insurance coverage for boat operators under a plan laid by area government and police officials to prevent marine accidents like the one that cost a South Korean tourist his leg last month.

Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak met May 16 with Chonburi Deputy Gov. Adisak Thepass, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh, Tourist Police Commander Lt. Col. Arun Promphan, and Marine Department Region 6 Director Raewat Potriang to review improved safety plans he demanded after the April 21 collision of two speedboats off Koh Larn’s Tawaen Beach that injured 18 tourists and two guides. One tourist lost half his leg while another’s leg was nearly severed.
Full story:http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/gps-navigation-insurance-required-under-draft-marine-safety-plan-26228

[Basil B]

Pattaya would build a Global Positioning System-based navigation system to monitor tourist-boat traffic

So Pattaya is to launch it's own GPS satellites???

The plans call for integration of the Royal Thai Police, Marine Police, Tourism Authority of Thailand, civil defense volunteers and city hall.

Obviously he has not been in Pattaya long...

After reviewing the plans, Somsak directed the Marine Department within three weeks to draft legislative language to require speedboats to be equipped with GPS transceivers

What does he mean? GPS Transceiver??? they are a receive only device unless they are hooked up to Marine VHF/GMDSS Radio Transceivers, does he want all them small boats to have the AIS system as fitted to ships (mandatory on all vessels >300 Gross Tons) that automatically sends out the ships position, course and speed?

and for boat operators be mandated to carry insurance covering damage and injuries.

I think we all know the answer to that one, no one will insure them

[fakename]

And how will the GPS prevent accidents? Maybe it will show where the boat sank, but it does nothing to prevent accidents, thats the drivers job. Is every boat going to have its position followed all the time? The skipper would be watching the GPS, and not whats in the water, unless they hire a navigator also. Im sure if the skippers just took the basic navigation and boat handling course, it would be enough, and leave the cowboy attitude on the beach, for the girls.

[Soutpeel]

AIS would be logical and least expensive way to go...in fact all the O&G operators in the gulf of Thailand require all vessels irrespective of tonnage to have AIS installed on vessels operating in the fields.

Proper "masters" certifications would also be the way to go for the "taxi drivers" as well and make them legally responsible for what happens on their vessels...of course we know this will not happen

[osiboy]

AIS would be logical and least expensive way to go...in fact all the O&G operators in the gulf of Thailand require all vessels irrespective of tonnage to have AIS installed on vessels operating in the fields.

Proper "masters" certifications would also be the way to go for the "taxi drivers" as well and make them legally responsible for what happens on their vessels...of course we know this will not happen

give it 20 yrs ,...."for .the times , they are a changin"