Dive tour boat Sea World 1 catches fire in Phuket
A fire broke out yesterday on a well-known dive tour boat, Sea World 1, at Thap Lamu in Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga, north of Phuket, causing substantial damage.
The Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command (3AC) was alerted to the blaze at 6.30pm yesterday. Despite the main headquarters of the 3AC being located in Cape Panwa, Phuket, they operate a Naval base in Thap Lamu. The HTMS Lipe, a vessel under the command of the 3AC, was dispatched to the scene, which was in the Thap Lamu Channel. The team managed to successfully extinguish the fire.
The extent of the damage to the boat is yet to be fully assessed but it is anticipated to be significant. Fortunately, no injuries were reported either from the fire or the subsequent firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to a report from the 3AC.
The Sea World 1 is a popular choice among diving tourists planning trips to the Similan Islands and further north. The 22-metre-long boat boasts an upper deck with an open-air saloon and dining area and a large sun deck.
It has a maximum capacity of 18 guests and features nine air-conditioned cabins, with the choice of standard twin/double cabins with shared bathrooms or ensuite VIP doubles. The boat has received numerous positive online reviews, reported Phuket News.
In related news, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Marine Police Region 8 arrested two tour boat operators in Phuket on February 15 for a series of breaches. The authorities detailed their infractions in an online post, including operating boats with expired registrations, failing to provide adequate life rafts and overloading their vessels with passengers.
The routine check-up led to the arrests on Klong Tha Jeen, a waterway in Ratsada located on the eastern edge of Phuket Town. The operators were in the process of ferrying tourists to nearby islands when their illicit activities were brought to light.
