Boat and ‘life jackets’ not fit-for-purpose
The Tourist Police Bureau have revealed that the ‘Phoenix’ was not ‘fit for purpose’ for operations in the seas off Phuket whilst the buoyancy aids that were provided for passengers didn’t reach the minimum standards required for safety vests.
In the latest zero-dollar tour investigation, linked to the two boats and last Thursday’s boat sinkings, tourist police seized 21 non-standard buoyancy aids at an office believed to be used as the operations centre for the boat tours involved with ‘Phoenix’.
Tourist Police Deputy Commander Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn says, “Yesterday we went to Tanawat shipyard in Rassada where the ‘Phoenix’ boat was constructed. We have found that another twin boat of ‘Phoenix’, with the same blue prints, is currently being prepared and was constructed here too. The other boat has already been moved to another area after 70% of its construction has been completed.”
“A boat engineer and consultant has analysed the plans for the vessels and determined that the ‘Phoenix’ design has inherent problems.”
“The design seems to have many flaws. The boat should not take to sea with many passengers. The most important thing is the engine door design at the lower level of the boat. When sea water got into the boat the boat engine would be flooded and would stop working.”
“We have also found that the ‘life jackets’ do not reach the International Standard. Those ‘life jackets’ were made at a manufacturing company in Lop Buri, 150 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, but the jackets are labelled that they were made in Nakhon Ratchasima. We are now working with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to find out more about these jackets.”
“We want to tell Thai people who have acted as nominees for foreigners to stop doing this. Relevant officers and I are collecting evidence to take the highest level of legal action against these offenders. I am sure that there are many businesses working as nominee.”
“After the boat has been recovered, I will return to clear these nominee issues. If any government office is found to be involved with the boats and their ability to be used to take tours in Phuket, legal action will be taken against them.
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