Longtail boats with roofs pulled after several capsized
After two deaths and many injuries so far this year, about 80 longtail boats in Krabi that were modified by adding roofs are being called in. The Krabi Marine Office made the announcement after three longtail boats capsized in the last two months.
The roofs make the boats less stable in stronger winds. They also make the small boats heavier which might have caused the capsizing incidents. The director of the Krabi Marine Office explained the situation to The Phuket Express.
There are about 80 longtail boats in Krabi which were modified with these roofs. They are all being called to be re-tested for safety with the Krabi Marine Office. The office wants to be sure of safety before the influx of tourists that is guaranteed for the Songkran Festival in April.
Most recently, on February 5, nine Swedish tourists survived after a longtailed boat capsized in Krabi. The tourists were taking photos on one side of the boat. This tilted the boat which began taking on water and then finally sunk. All passengers were wearing life jackets and were rescued by the authorities.
On January 25, a Malaysian mother and her six-year-old daughter were not as lucky. They died after a longtail boat capsized in Krabi. The boat’s captain reported that strong waves hit the boat and caused it to capsize near the Hang Nak Cape in Ao Nang.
All four occupants of the boat were left floating in the sea, but a local fishing boat rescued them. Unfortunately, the Malaysian woman and her daughter were already unconscious when they were rescued, and they were later pronounced dead at the hospital.
On January 7, two foreign tourists and a boat captain were rescued after a longtail boat capsized with a similar story to the others. Strong waves hit the boat before water leaked into the ship, causing it to sink. The boat capsized between Hong Island and Hang Nak Cape, and rescue teams arrived to find the boat being towed and rescued by two other tour boats. The boat captain and the two foreign tourists were safely rescued to land.
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