webfact Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 Tight security for Phoenix amid probe into boat tragedy By Salinee Prab The Nation Photo by Charoon Thongnual The government has made the highest security measures for the just-salvaged “Phoenix” boat, which sank off Phuket province in July, taking with it the lives of 47 Chinese tourists. The goal is to prevent anyone from meddling with key evidence as authorities investigate one of the biggest boat tragedies in Thailand. On July 5, Phoenix capsized after a short, sudden storm while carrying many Chinese tourists on a tour. Of the passengers, 47 drowned in the sea. Several questions have since emerged as to whether the tour-boat operator had complied with safety standards or whether the yacht was itself substandard. “The area for the yacht will be cordoned off, with CCTV installed to record what happens around it. Also, we will have security guards on duty in the area around the clock,” Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said yesterday, as he boarded a boat to see how the salvaged Phoenix is being hauled to a designated spot in Phuket. Also on the boat were Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Pongpanu Svetarundra, Li Chunlin, Counsellor and consul general of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and several senior Thai and Chinese officials. Weerasak said both the Thai and Chinese governments have paid close attention to the Phoenix case. He said progress in the investigation would be reported to him and then the Chinese government before being released to the public. Li said China was satisfied with the Thai government’s sincere efforts to investigate the cause of the boat tragedy. “We are confident that after the cause is identified and with safety measures for tourists being boosted in Thailand, confidence in Thai tourism will return,” he said. Phoenix was stuck at the bottom of the Andaman Sea for three and a half months. One salvage team tried and gave up after two months, which also saw one diver losing his life. Earlier this month, a crane and barge arrived from Singapore through arrangement with the Thai police. They played a key role in successfully hauling up the Phoenix on Saturday. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30358795 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webfact Posted November 18, 2018 Author Share Posted November 18, 2018 Salvaged Phoenix tourist ship impounded and cordoned off for investigation The government has ordered the Phoenix tourist ship, which was salvaged off Phuket on Saturday, to be impounded for investigation after it was towed to a dockyard on the tourist island. Tourism and Sports Minister Veerasak Kowsurat, Phuket governor Pakkapong Thaweepat along with Chinese consul-general in Thailand Mr Li Shun-lin and the vice consul based in Songkhla were on hand to witness the towing of Phoenix by a barge to Rattanachai dockyard. The delegation stood in silence for about one minute to pay respect to the 47 Chinese tourists who died when the ship sank in rough seas in mid-July. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/salvaged-phoenix-tourist-ship-impounded-and-cordoned-off-for-investigation/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-11-19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesofa Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 17 minutes ago, webfact said: He said progress in the investigation would be reported to him and then the Chinese government before being released to the public. I'm guessing this is the usual case of altering any awkward details in the report, before being released. 22 minutes ago, webfact said: “We are confident that after the cause is identified and with safety measures for tourists being boosted in Thailand, confidence in Thai tourism will return,” he said. It sounds great, but there's an awfully big difference between 'boosted' on paper, and 'continually enforced' in reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattayadgw Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcula Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: The goal is to prevent anyone from meddling with key evidence..... That's our job....don't even think about it....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oziex1 Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 This is going to give us at TV. some Thai official bashing fodder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fruitman Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, pattayadgw said: I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find?? Maybe the ship was topheavy because too many passengers were on the upperdeck? They better let farang experts investigate this, i have no faith in thai experts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bristolgeoff Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 what evidence is left if it was in the water all this time.they know how it sunk it seems anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob12345 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, pattayadgw said: I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find?? They are gonna find, magically, evidence that blames neither the chinese nor the thais to boost confidence. If i were burmese i would start running already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelepulse Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 32 minutes ago, Bob12345 said: They are gonna find, magically, evidence that blames neither the chinese nor the thais to boost confidence. If i were burmese i would start running already. That and throw in a rogue wave or two and all bases are covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupatria Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 3 hours ago, webfact said: Tight security for Phoenix... They should have thought about "security" before the accident. It's like telling a charcoaled corpse to stop smoking in bed from now on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 I hear they are questioning a crab found in the bilges, put under pressure it is giving some vital information, which at this time cannot be divulged.stay tuned. regards worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatfreak Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 "...whether the tour-boat operator had complied with safety standards" i am an inspector for the International Marine Certification Bureau and based in Phuket and I am really wondering what safety standards they are referring to, International Standards such as published by the Thai Industrial Standard Institute are certainly not applied in Thailand except for boats being exported to Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captnhoy Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, fruitman said: Maybe the ship was topheavy because too many passengers were on the upperdeck? They better let farang experts investigate this, i have no faith in thai experts. I think this is a strong possibility. I once had a 30 ton timber built live aboard for my own enjoyment. It could be licensed for 30 people. When I sold it the Thai who was interested wanted to pack 100 on board. The upper deck was the largest open area. That sale did not go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETERTHEEATER Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Continuing the mantra of safety, the Minister and his VIP entourage were all wearing new 'life-vests' rush purchased from a local supermarket whereas not one of the hundred-odd people on their vessel has on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
car720 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 99.9% of Chinese cannot swim. so no matter what happened to the boat they would be dead. The only answer is to ensure that every passenger wears a lifejacket the entire journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 What will fix the problem is proper design,inspections during building crew training licensing drills and random drug testing people that don’t obey pay real consequences (I know it’s thailand) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NamKangMan Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 5 hours ago, bluesofa said: I'm guessing this is the usual case of altering any awkward details in the report, before being released. It sounds great, but there's an awfully big difference between 'boosted' on paper, and 'continually enforced' in reality. "I'm guessing this is the usual case of altering any awkward details in the report, before being released." - or, having the first salvage crew, who were Thai, remove / repair any evidence before the salvage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAMHERE Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Good news it was not the fault of the foreigner falang, probably. Except there were for sure too many on the side that sank first, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Christmas13 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 34 minutes ago, car720 said: 99.9% of Chinese cannot swim. so no matter what happened to the boat they would be dead. The only answer is to ensure that every passenger wears a lifejacket the entire journey. you wrong 95 % can't swim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 l laughed after the first sentence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelepulse Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 46 minutes ago, car720 said: 99.9% of Chinese cannot swim. so no matter what happened to the boat they would be dead. The only answer is to ensure that every passenger wears a lifejacket the entire journey. Thing is, those that died below deck were all wearing some sort of life preserver and they could not get out as per the news reports. There was a mention that the life preservers weren't the approved type that was supposed to be provided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorecard Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, steelepulse said: Thing is, those that died below deck were all wearing some sort of life preserver and they could not get out as per the news reports. There was a mention that the life preservers weren't the approved type that was supposed to be provided. Here's another thought, some reports say it was a dive boat / the passengers were on the boat for diving. The vessel sank in 45 meters of water. So a question for the diving professionals, is 45 meters about normal for a diving excursion like this, for amateur divers, or is 45 meters more suitable for very experienced divers? A bit late now but i wonder if their certifications to dive were checked before any of them actually went diving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 4 hours ago, steelepulse said: Thing is, those that died below deck were all wearing some sort of life preserver and they could not get out as per the news reports. There was a mention that the life preservers weren't the approved type that was supposed to be provided. And that was the reason to the casualties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerkinsCuthbert Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 'Tight security' is a fine thing after the horse has bolted, but what about 'tight safety' before the damned boat sank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxYakov Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 5 hours ago, pattayadgw said: I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find?? Chinese tourists? Back in the good ol' days they were everywhere. Anyway, Phoenix is fitting name for the craft now that they've raised it, yes (or ... maybe not)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPI Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Now they're going to blame the boat! Nothing to do with incompetent ship handling, nothing to do with overloading the boat, nothing to do with lazy, inefficient government officials...no no no! It was the boat all along, it has a long history of hating the Thai government and so took its revenge on these innocent Chinese tourists...devilish boat!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tchooptip Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 6 hours ago, pattayadgw said: I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find?? what do they think they're going to find?? For instance, if the boat himself was seaworthy enough, it is very possible it was not, for example too much wind resistance, in French its called "fardage" in English not sure if it is called "dunnage" ? We are in Thailand everything is possible, also not enough horsepower could quickly be a problem if there are a few more waves. A naval architect can check all this and incriminate or not the builder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo in Thailand Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 9 hours ago, pattayadgw said: I don't think they're going to find the wave that capsized her inside.. what do they think they're going to find??* They're probably going to find what I found during my last tourist boat ride from Pattaya beach to Koh Larn (island) a few years ago. All of the bright orange life jackets were tightly lashed to the boat framing with rope just above the passenger seats. In the event of an emergency no passenger would be able to quickly undo the double/triple-knotted ropes to release them. It was a disaster waiting to happen. *Bold red my emphasis, not pattayadgw's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Media1 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 4 hours ago, captnhoy said: I think this is a strong possibility. I once had a 30 ton timber built live aboard for my own enjoyment. It could be licensed for 30 people. When I sold it the Thai who was interested wanted to pack 100 on board. The upper deck was the largest open area. That sale did not go through. Thainess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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