Seminar tackles dangers at sea

PHUKET: With the dangerous monsoon season approaching, a two-day seminar for 200 officers who may be required to take part in sea rescues is being held to improve life-saving procedures. Organized by the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet, the gathering also involves representatives from the Marine Police, the Tourist Police, the Harbor Master, the fishery and national parks departments and hotel businesses and canoe companies in Phuket, Phang Nga, Ranong and Satun. A meeting at the Metropole Hotel this morning was followed by a practical demonstration near Mai Thon Island, off Phuket Town, aimed at improving communications and the speed with which help can be provided. The Commander in Chief of the Third Fleet, Vice Admiral Pairoj Theerachai, was keen to emphasise the need for speed in alerting organizations to incidents and making communications efficient. “We are going into the monsoon season, when tourists usually die every year from drowning or sea accidents,” he said. The seminar continues tomorrow. The emergency numbers for the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet are 076-327510, 076-391598, and 076-391598. These numbers are manned 24 hours a day.