Tourists injured as speedboats collide off Phi Phi

[NamKangMan]

“It was raining heavily,” Col. Lt. Prasert Srikhunrat said by telephone. “The sky was dark, so the two boats crashed into each other.”"

What a load of .....

Solution: Reduce speed, post an extra lookout or two and proceed with caution!

The boats crashed into each other due to poor seamanship, and likely excessive speed for the current conditions. We just arrived back from Krabi and while out on a private boat, I saw a few of these speedboats at a popular island beach stop with all three being overloaded, and more than likely insufficient safety gear.

It is very sad that these tourists got sucked into taking a trip on these 'Cattle Boats' and ended up being slaughtered...

As a former USCG Licensed Master and Marine Safety & Security Instructor, (USCG & MCA of the UK), I know that these types of accidents are largely preventable and almost always the result of operator error.

Hopefully this event will get the international attention it deserves, and some of the necessary changes will be made.

Unlikely there was not enough safety equipment and/or the boats were overloaded. All are checked very regularly, in certain places even daily.

I'm sorry, but what fantasy wonderland are you living in ??. I have been here 35 years and have internationally recognised certification for both Fast rescue Craft and small powered vessels, I can safely say that there is little to no inspection on any marine vessels that I have seen

I see it every day. No overloading possible and life jackets for everybody compulsory.

Seems like you don't know the daily ins and outs of these boats.

Not disputing your report of inspections, and as one who has under gone multiple commercial vessels inspections around the globe, I can say that the quality of the inspection and the standards being applied are vital to the overall success of the safety inspections.

In looking at some of the pictures of incident, many of the passengers being treated appear to be wearing light blue or grey 'Flotation Aids' or what the United States Coast Guard (USCG) classifies as a Type III Personal Flotation Device (PFD). These vests are primarily designed to aid the wearer to stay afloat while engaged in a sport activity such as snorkeling or water skiing. Designed for comfort, these vests are only intended for use in calm waters where fast rescue is possible, and most importantly they are not designed to self-right (turn-over) an unconscious victim to the face-up position.

Given the trip to Phi Phi is across open water, it would seem reasonable that vessel operators would be required to carry at minimum TYPE II PFD's, (Near Shore Buoyant Vests) for each passenger and others safety devices such as AIS, (Type , in addition to the standard running lights, Lifebuoy with light, signal flares and similar. I also question the stability of these speedboats when carrying over thirty (30) passengers, crew, fuel and provisions. This is a very large number for the type of vessel (10m?) and the intended area of operation, and cannot imagine how such a heavily loaded vessel safely operates in a heavy sea. In my past experience a vessel of this type would have at maximum maybe 16 passengers for protected waters, but more than likely be certified to carry a maximum of 12 for a day excursion, or less if carrying divers & their equipment when on a similar route.

Cheers

Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?

"Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?" - I really don't think the boats that are involved are important, just the system that allows certain people to control them.

[stevenl]

“It was raining heavily,” Col. Lt. Prasert Srikhunrat said by telephone. “The sky was dark, so the two boats crashed into each other.”"

What a load of .....

Solution: Reduce speed, post an extra lookout or two and proceed with caution!

The boats crashed into each other due to poor seamanship, and likely excessive speed for the current conditions. We just arrived back from Krabi and while out on a private boat, I saw a few of these speedboats at a popular island beach stop with all three being overloaded, and more than likely insufficient safety gear.

It is very sad that these tourists got sucked into taking a trip on these 'Cattle Boats' and ended up being slaughtered...

As a former USCG Licensed Master and Marine Safety & Security Instructor, (USCG & MCA of the UK), I know that these types of accidents are largely preventable and almost always the result of operator error.

Hopefully this event will get the international attention it deserves, and some of the necessary changes will be made.

Unlikely there was not enough safety equipment and/or the boats were overloaded. All are checked very regularly, in certain places even daily.

I'm sorry, but what fantasy wonderland are you living in ??. I have been here 35 years and have internationally recognised certification for both Fast rescue Craft and small powered vessels, I can safely say that there is little to no inspection on any marine vessels that I have seen

I see it every day. No overloading possible and life jackets for everybody compulsory.

Seems like you don't know the daily ins and outs of these boats.

Not disputing your report of inspections, and as one who has under gone multiple commercial vessels inspections around the globe, I can say that the quality of the inspection and the standards being applied are vital to the overall success of the safety inspections.

In looking at some of the pictures of incident, many of the passengers being treated appear to be wearing light blue or grey 'Flotation Aids' or what the United States Coast Guard (USCG) classifies as a Type III Personal Flotation Device (PFD). These vests are primarily designed to aid the wearer to stay afloat while engaged in a sport activity such as snorkeling or water skiing. Designed for comfort, these vests are only intended for use in calm waters where fast rescue is possible, and most importantly they are not designed to self-right (turn-over) an unconscious victim to the face-up position.

Given the trip to Phi Phi is across open water, it would seem reasonable that vessel operators would be required to carry at minimum TYPE II PFD's, (Near Shore Buoyant Vests) for each passenger and others safety devices such as AIS, (Type , in addition to the standard running lights, Lifebuoy with light, signal flares and similar. I also question the stability of these speedboats when carrying over thirty (30) passengers, crew, fuel and provisions. This is a very large number for the type of vessel (10m?) and the intended area of operation, and cannot imagine how such a heavily loaded vessel safely operates in a heavy sea. In my past experience a vessel of this type would have at maximum maybe 16 passengers for protected waters, but more than likely be certified to carry a maximum of 12 for a day excursion, or less if carrying divers & their equipment when on a similar route.

Cheers

Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?

"Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?" - I really don't think the boats that are involved are important, just the system that allows certain people to control them.

It is if somebody claims these vessels were suitable to maximum 16 people.

[stevenl]

What a load of .....

Solution: Reduce speed, post an extra lookout or two and proceed with caution!

The boats crashed into each other due to poor seamanship, and likely excessive speed for the current conditions. We just arrived back from Krabi and while out on a private boat, I saw a few of these speedboats at a popular island beach stop with all three being overloaded, and more than likely insufficient safety gear.

It is very sad that these tourists got sucked into taking a trip on these 'Cattle Boats' and ended up being slaughtered...

"Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?"

Actually that is a really good observation, and no I have not seen any 'Lifejackets' that clearly belong to the vessels that were involved in the collision. It would seem strange to me that the rescue vessel would need to provide PFD's to the collision victims if the crew of the vessels involved had already provided their passengers with the proper safety equipment.

Perhaps you have evidence of these 'Lifejackets' being provided by the vessel crew? If so, I would appreciate seeing this as it would help calm my feelings that the vessels were overloaded and under-equipped for the trip.

Cheers!

Wow, that is a really impossible request.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that everybody wears them.

[stevenl]

What a load of .....

Solution: Reduce speed, post an extra lookout or two and proceed with caution!

The boats crashed into each other due to poor seamanship, and likely excessive speed for the current conditions. We just arrived back from Krabi and while out on a private boat, I saw a few of these speedboats at a popular island beach stop with all three being overloaded, and more than likely insufficient safety gear.

It is very sad that these tourists got sucked into taking a trip on these 'Cattle Boats' and ended up being slaughtered...

"Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?"

Actually that is a really good observation, and no I have not seen any 'Lifejackets' that clearly belong to the vessels that were involved in the collision. It would seem strange to me that the rescue vessel would need to provide PFD's to the collision victims if the crew of the vessels involved had already provided their passengers with the proper safety equipment.

Perhaps you have evidence of these 'Lifejackets' being provided by the vessel crew? If so, I would appreciate seeing this as it would help calm my feelings that the vessels were overloaded and under-equipped for the trip.

Cheers!

Wow, that is a really impossible request.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that everybody wears them.

I do see some other life jackets on the photos as well, so yes, life jackets were provided by the vessel crew.

[Wanderer555]

What a load of .....

Solution: Reduce speed, post an extra lookout or two and proceed with caution!

The boats crashed into each other due to poor seamanship, and likely excessive speed for the current conditions. We just arrived back from Krabi and while out on a private boat, I saw a few of these speedboats at a popular island beach stop with all three being overloaded, and more than likely insufficient safety gear.

It is very sad that these tourists got sucked into taking a trip on these 'Cattle Boats' and ended up being slaughtered...

"Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

Have you seen the boats that were involved in this accident?"

Actually that is a really good observation, and no I have not seen any 'Lifejackets' that clearly belong to the vessels that were involved in the collision. It would seem strange to me that the rescue vessel would need to provide PFD's to the collision victims if the crew of the vessels involved had already provided their passengers with the proper safety equipment.

Perhaps you have evidence of these 'Lifejackets' being provided by the vessel crew? If so, I would appreciate seeing this as it would help calm my feelings that the vessels were overloaded and under-equipped for the trip.

Cheers!

Wow, that is a really impossible request.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that everybody wears them.

I do see some other life jackets on the photos as well, so yes, life jackets were provided by the vessel crew.

@ stevenl,

In reading both of your following statements, I find myself somewhat confused.

"Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that

everybody wears them.

My question is, "If the passengers were wearing the Personal Flotation Devices or 'lifejackets' as required, then why would the rescue crews need to provide them to the collision victims?"

While I cannot say with certainty the conditions aboard both vessels were at the time of the collision, I will admit to making a few assumptions based on seeing similar boats at the destination islands with the vessels being both overloaded and poorly equipped.

Could you also inform me as to what classification of PFD, (Lifejacket) they typically provide their passengers?

Additionally, has anyone reported what the deceased victims died of, such as blunt force trauma, drowning or ???

Cheers!

[stevenl]

Actually that is a really good observation, and no I have not seen any 'Lifejackets' that clearly belong to the vessels that were involved in the collision. It would seem strange to me that the rescue vessel would need to provide PFD's to the collision victims if the crew of the vessels involved had already provided their passengers with the proper safety equipment.

Perhaps you have evidence of these 'Lifejackets' being provided by the vessel crew? If so, I would appreciate seeing this as it would help calm my feelings that the vessels were overloaded and under-equipped for the trip.

Cheers!

Wow, that is a really impossible request.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that everybody wears them.

I do see some other life jackets on the photos as well, so yes, life jackets were provided by the vessel crew.

@ stevenl,

In reading both of your following statements, I find myself somewhat confused.

"Those are the life jackets from the boat that rescued them from the water.

But boats here can not depart without having sufficient life jackets on board, and in many departure points it is checked that

everybody wears them.

My question is, "If the passengers were wearing the Personal Flotation Devices or 'lifejackets' as required, then why would the rescue crews need to provide them to the collision victims?"

While I cannot say with certainty the conditions aboard both vessels were at the time of the collision, I will admit to making a few assumptions based on seeing similar boats at the destination islands with the vessels being both overloaded and poorly equipped.

Could you also inform me as to what classification of PFD, (Lifejacket) they typically provide their passengers?

Additionally, has anyone reported what the deceased victims died of, such as blunt force trauma, drowning or ???

Cheers!

No contradiction at all in those statements. I see in the picture lifejackets from both the rescuing vessel, seemingly used as pillow, and people wearing life jackets that I know are not from the rescuing boat. I was not on that boat on that day but the day before, so do know that boat.

You're making assumptions without knowing anything really about these boats.

No idea about the class of life jackets.

I know one of the victims had half of his head sheared off.

Oh, and please quote properly, in your previous post it states quotes by me which were not done by me.

[Redline]

We take safety seriously

If they lose the Chinese, and a get a red card from the EU, there will be some serious hurting here