Ministry orders checks of all service boats



BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry yesterday ordered inspection of all service boats nationwide to ensure that none has been installed with a mixed fuel system.

The order came after a gas explosion in the commuter boat in the Saen Saep canal last Saturday wounding 58 passengers, two seriously.

Deputy transport minister Omsin Chivapruek ordered the Marine Department to carry out inspection of service boats across the country to assure that none of the boats have been installed with the mixed fuel system.

The explosion was found to be from the leakage of the LNG which was mixed with diesel in the engine.

Besides he also ordered that the Department to issue regulations to control boat service tightly.

This includes the requirement for inspection of boat from once a year to twice a year instead.

Meanwhile authorities said complete report of investigation of an explosion in Saen Saep canal would be made within 10 days.

According to preliminary reports, the gas fuel tank on the boat was left intact meaning the gas tank was not leaking gas but it might be from its joints.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/154068


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-08

Once a year to twice a year...like they inspect road vehicles before renewal of licenses?

And we know how stringent and incorruptible such inspections are...

What? Do this public transportation boats never get checked otherwise? Not even after the installation of NGV?

Government negligence at work.

Yep!!! Typical Thainess..... check AFTER the fact. Then the declaration "will...., in the future...... intends to....... plans to...... proposed......suggests.... oh boy the list is long. But the action is short or non existent....Just plain horse...crap( being a bit refined). lol

Pffft. Maritime safety is a joke in Asia. It seems like every week there is some kind of tragedy. My thinking is, if these incidents don't encourage real, substantive change (and they don't) then nothing will.

I know these inspections and the problems they reveal cost money, but still...it's only money.

Not coincidentally I work as a Merchant Mariner, and have had this book on my radar for awhile. Apparently vessel inspections in the USA used to be very lax. This accident changed all that.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1606108.Until_the_Sea_Shall_Free_Them

These days American Bureau of Shipping and USCG inspections are no joke. Thankfully...

What a joke. If inspections were once a year this tragedy would never have happened. Blatent lies about inspections etc., are so obvious to all. An example where corruption puts lives at serious risk. The same applies to all public transport in this LOS. Another coat of paint is only applied, if that.