BMA rolls out environmentally friendly boat prototypes

[webfact]

BMA rolls out environmentally friendly boat prototypes

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016, (NNT) - Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has overseen a test run of environmentally friendly boat prototypes, before officially deploying them in Khlong Phasi Charoen next month.

M.R. Sukhumbhand and members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials attended the experiment and inspected the 8-kilometer waterway connecting Saphan Taksin pier in Phasi Charoen district and the pier at Taling Chan district's floating market.

The Governor said the prototype boats are made of fiberglass which minimizes the effect of waves while the boats are maneuvering. He stated that each boats' capacity is 60 passengers. The vessels are equipped with a GPS based automatic speed control system, four CCTV cameras and a free Wi-Fi service. The boats also have a space for wheel chairs and bicycles.

M.R. Sukhumbhand disclosed that his agency has already received three boats from the manufacturer, while adding that the remaining nine are being assembled and would be delivered by this August. He said the BMA is currently testing the three boats, training helmsmen and extending boat routes to connect with BTS Sky Train stations.


-- NNT 2016-03-21

[webfact]

BMA launches free boat service in Klong Phasicharoen next month with environmental friendly boats



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will introduce environmental friendly boats for service in Klong Phasicharoen free of charge beginning early next month.

The free service of the new boats in Phasicharoen canal was disclosed by Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhan Paribatra during his inspection of the boat service from Saphan Taksin-Phetkasem pier to Taling Chan floating market along the eight kilometre long route in the canal.

The governor said currently the BMA hired Krungthep Thanakom Co Ltd to operate the boat service free of charge from April 24, 2014 to March this year on a trialed.

The service attracts 3,000 commuters daily, with traffic at 7 am being its peak.

This prompted the BMA to look for new boats with more safety to accommodate passengers during the peak hours.

He said the environmental friendly boat will not effect canal residents as it will have less noise, less smokes, and create low waves.

It will be equipped with GPS, and will run not more than 10 kilometers an hour.

The boat is 3.2 meters wide and 12.5 meters long, and can accommodate 60 passengers, comprising seats for 40 persons and standing spaces for 20.

It will have four CCTV cameras, and free WiFi service.

The BMA will introduce 12 new boats to replace the 12 existing boats to provide the service, he said.

Three new boats have been constructed and are ready to put in service on April 1 free of charge on initial stage.

The governor, however, said the new boats will not be put in service in Klong Saen Saep as the canal is within the supervision of the Department of Harbour.

He said the new boat will serve as a prototype for other boat operators to introduce for service in future.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/156037


-- Thai PBS 2016-03-21

[WitawatWatawit]

Nothing on the websites of BP and Nation at the moment, so that poor pix above of the vessel is the best available, it seems. The craft looks to be twin-hulled, but that's about all you can make out. With the limited amount of information about the vessel specifications, it still sounds good, but of course there are always reservations.

Let's hope they don't go the way of the infamous fire-fighting vessels.

[Cuchulainn]

Looks better than the floating coffins on the Saen Saep!

[Thian]

Looks better than the floating coffins on the Saen Saep!

It's not about the looks but about safety. I hope those polyester boats can stand the impact of a floating treetrunk or whatever floats around them.

Also i don't know if it's wise to have wheelchairs aboard in case of an accident.

[Dublin]

The Governor said the prototype boats are made of fiberglass which minimizes the effect of waves while the boats are maneuvering..

The material of a boat does not have much to do with a Wave or wake,,,,the wake is caused by the water flowing around a body of mass in this instance the boat. maybe its just the translation but I don't think so

[thedemon]

The Governor said the prototype boats are made of fiberglass which minimizes the effect of waves while the boats are maneuvering..

The material of a boat does not have much to do with a Wave or wake,,,,the wake is caused by the water flowing around a body of mass in this instance the boat. maybe its just the translation but I don't think so

Presumably he means because fibreglass hulls are much lighter that steel hulls and therefore displace less water. That will reduce the size of the bow waves.