Passenger port
authorities have confirmed an alarming situation in which the hydrofoils plying
the route between Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau fail to meet minimum safety
standards, and many accidents have occurred as a result.
The conclusion was announced at a Wednesday meeting in
Vung Tau with the participation of port authorities from Vung Tau and Ho Chi
Minh City, representatives of the hydrofoil transport firms, and relevant
units.
A recent inspection by the Vung Tau Port Authority
showed that many hydrofoils failed to meet minimum safety standards.
Shortcomings include on-board staff who don’t know how to wear life jackets and
use fire extinguishers; unworkable anchors and communication devices; and
windows in the passenger compartment breaking.
According to an initial survey by the Vung Tau Port
Authority, since 2007 hydrofoils on the HCMC – Vung Tau route have had regular
technical troubles. In 2012 six cases of collisions or engine breakdowns have
been recorded.
The Greenlines firm has had the most problems.
It’s unacceptable to skip the minimum safety
requirements, said Vung Tau Port Authority deputy director Le Van Thuc.
Le Van Chien, director of the Vung Tau Port Authority,
confirmed that the situation is alarming and is a concern among passengers. In
a serious recent incident, a distressed hydrofoil was ignored and refused help
by another vessel from a rival firm.
In September last year, a Vina Express hydrofoil
crashed and killed a fisherman.
Most of the problems caused by the hydrofoils have not
been reported by captains or owners. Relevant authorities learn of the
incidents via newspapers or other sources, said Nguyen Thien Hai, a member of
the inland waterway unit of the HCMC Port Authority.
At the meeting, owners of hydrofoil firms were
requested to correct their mistakes. In addition, emergency phone numbers of
port authorities, waterway traffic police, and rescue centers must be posted in
the passenger compartment of each boat.
An owner of a shipping liner who spoke on condition of
anonymity admitted that many hydrofoils were bought from Russia two decades
ago, and some were manufactured in the 1980s.
TUOI TRE
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