Marine Dept to require fishing boats gain IMO number



BANGKOK, 24 June 2016 (NNT) – The Marine Department (MD) has prepared to require that fishing boats receive unique, internationally recognized numbers for better control.

MD Director-General Sorasak Saensombat has stated the department will soon issue a requirement for fishing vessels not made of wood with a size of 100 tons gross or more to need an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number to specify themselves in keeping with United Nations guidelines and IMO Resolution A.1078 (28).

The number once issued to a vessel will be permanent until it is no longer in commission, allowing for background checks for boats that have had their names changed. The requirement of the number is to help defend against boats taking part in illicit activities and allow authorities more control over fishing vessels.

Numbers can be requested while a boat is being constructed or when its owner is applying for a license. The Marine Department can apply for the number on behalf of its owner or they can apply by themselves at www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com.


-- NNT 2016-06-24

Having an "international" number on a "Thai" boat to allow better fishing regulation enforcement?! How un-Thai is that. Enforcement--bah, humbug!

Having an "international" number on a "Thai" boat to allow better fishing regulation enforcement?! How un-Thai is that. Enforcement--bah, humbug!

But how many Thai fishing boats are more than 100 GMT and constructed of steel ? Smoke and mirrors me thinks....the vast majority of illegal thai fishing boats are timber, therefore will not need to be registered under IMO

The key word's here was when getting new boat built of material other than wood over 100 tons and when getting license So there several loopholes in that one.

Having an "international" number on a "Thai" boat to allow better fishing regulation enforcement?! How un-Thai is that. Enforcement--bah, humbug!

But how many Thai fishing boats are more than 100 GMT and constructed of steel ? Smoke and mirrors me thinks....the vast majority of illegal thai fishing boats are timber, therefore will not need to be registered under IMO

Just go and check at the piers and shipyards. Many of them big boats everywhere. You normally don't see them since they are the ones that go far away and only come in when absolutely necessary.