Thread: Ferry capsizes off Koh Larn

Ferry capsizes off Koh Larn
Published: 3 Nov 2013 at 19.58
CHON BURI — A ferry carrying more than 50 Thai and foreign tourists back to Pattaya from Koh Larn capsized Sunday evening, spilling the passengers into the sea. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The incident took place at about 100 metres off the island’s Nuan Beach at about 5.30pm. The ferry was the last one to head back to the mainland for the night.

Reports said rescue workers had picked up the passengers and taken injured persons to hospital. The cause of the capsize is not known.

Ferry capsizes off Koh Larn | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Ferry sinks in eastern Thailand
Breaking news
At least six people die when overcrowded ferry sinks off Pattaya in eastern Thailand, police say
on the BBC

Just visited Koh Larn the weekend before last. We took the larger more expensive boat and it did seem to list back and forth as people shuffled around viewing different scenery. Everyone raced toward the upper deck for seats and even sat on the edge of the boat up top with their feet hanging overboard.

My wife was a bit worried about the situation and now it seems for good reason. Had a great day surrounded by Russians . Anyhow it's a stern reminder to be very aware if you choose to take a ferry/bus around here. There were life vests but surely nowhere near enough, If the boat started to flip to one side it would no doubt be a brawl to secure them for your family.

RIP to the poor kids and folks.

Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya




At least six people died as an overcrowded ferry sank near the tourist resort of Pattaya in eastern Thailand.

The dead included three Thais, two Russians and a Chinese, police said. A nine-year-old Russian boy is critically ill in hospital, reports said.

There were reportedly 200 passengers on board the ferry that left Lan island for the 30-minute trip to Pattaya.

The rescue effort is continuing as it is thought more passengers could still be trapped inside the vessel.

There were no immediate details on the number of injured or missing.

The ferry sank after running into engine trouble at around 17:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Sunday, police said.

"Witnesses said there were neither enough tubes nor life vests on the ferry. Some of those who cannot swim had to cling onto coolers or ice containers until rescuers came," police Col Suwan Cheawnavinthavat was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Dozens of ambulances are at the scene in Pattaya, which is about 100km (60 miles) south-east of Bangkok.

Police want to talk to the ferry captain to try to ascertain the cause of the accident, Col Suwan said.


BBC News - Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya

Police want to talk to the ferry captain to try to ascertain the cause of the accident, Col Suwan said.

The cause of the accident is the same as cause of every other transportation accident in this silly land.

Regulations without enforcement, licensing without due diligence, a corrupt culture of irresponsibility and stupidity and a total lack of concern or respect for the paying passengers that pay to travel in their poorly maintained and operated boats, cars, coaches and trains here.

There will be the usual hand wringing and grovelling and it will never happen again blatherings from sweaty police chiefs and grubby transport operators, but of course it will happen again, it always does.

Originally Posted by Mr Lick

Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya




At least six people died as an overcrowded ferry sank near the tourist resort of Pattaya in eastern Thailand.



Police want to talk to the ferry captain to try to ascertain the cause of the accident, Col Suwan said.


BBC News - Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya

Well, that's a new twist to an old chestnut - "the driver swam from the scene!"

A "crackdown" in Thailand is right up there with "manhunt" and "justice".

Originally Posted by The Big Fella

Sadly a too often occurrence here. Safety is always second to none. Tourists need to be made more aware of this so they can take some precautions. I was working offshore when the Piper Alpha disaster happened. I lost some good friends. After that whenever I went to a rig or platform I spent an hour or so finding all the routes from the cabin I had been allocated so I could do it blindfolded if needed. I also made a mental note of where the lifeboats etc were.
I still do the same every time I get on a boat here. I make sure I know where to grab a life jacket, where the lifeboats or rafts are if they have any and I always sit where I will have easy access to the water if needed.
They always promise a crackdown whenever this type of thing happens but never do.
I offered the speedboat companies that ply between the islands here to train all their boat boys in basic first aid and in water rescue at cost but none of them were interested.
Another sad day in paradise.

Thinking like this will save your life some day. It's good to have a sense of what could happen to prepare yourself when time and clear-thinking are the keys to survival.

I wonder, when farangs come a cropper through Thai negligence or temperament and end up in hospital, who pays the bills?

like big fella says, you are the only only one who can save your own life,
been on some of these boats and a lot of passengers do not even look for
life saving equipment location,and a lot cannot swim, so it is a disaster waiting
to happen when the thai crew does not care and enforcement of law is ignored.

LiveLeak.com - Thailand: Tourists dead as ferry sinks near Pattaya resort

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster
Posted on November 3, 2013 at 10:52 pm
Current reports suggest 6 people have been killed and up to 200 people have been injured in, what is being described as, Pattaya’s worst marine accident in living history.

Just after 4pm on Sunday reports began to come in of a Passenger Ferry which had sunk off the coast of Larn Island. It was quickly confirmed that the boat was carrying far more people than it is licensed to.

As of time of publication the names or nationalities of those who have died have not been officially confirmed and the figure is set to rise, as up to 20 of the injured are currently in critical condition in Hospital. One Police source suggested 3 Thai Nationals, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese Tourists were those that died and others are feared missing presumed drowned.

The boat which sunk was named as the “Koh Larn Travel 1” Ferry which is a 2-storey ferry with a licensed capacity of 150 passengers. It has now been confirmed that 209 passengers were on-board when it sunk approximately 500 meters off the coast of Nuan Beach on Larn island, approximately 7kms off the coast of Pattaya. Unconfirmed reports suggest a water pump was not working on the vessel which caused it to sink in under 1 minute after passengers quickly moved to the upper-deck making the boat highly unstable.

Emergency vessels and private vessels were quickly on-scene to help those in the water. Some were administered CPR at the scene which continued at the Bali Hai Port. The list of those who lost their lives is expected to be released within the next 24 hours.

Later on Sunday Royal Thai navy Divers were brought in from their base in Sattahip District to begin the task of searching for those missing presumed drowned which is thought to number more than 15.

The Captain of the vessel was named as Khun Saman aged 42 who is believed to have somehow escaped before rescue boats arrived and is now wanted by Police. An arrest warrant for him is expected to be issued on Monday. He is thought to have first collected passengers from Tawean Beach on the Island and then moved round to Nuan Beach. This is thought to have been the last ferry leaving the Island on Sunday which is why so many people were on-board. It was also reported that the ferry had returned from the boatyard 2 weeks ago after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.

How the Pattaya authorities who are responsible for Marine safety respond to this tragedy is still unclear but recent promises to enforce regulations at sea to prevent major disasters such as this one appear to have been broken.

No emergency numbers or points of contact for those needing information about friends or family members have been published. Pattaya One will update this story as new information is received.

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster | Pattaya One - Pattaya News, Thailand News, World News, updated 24 hours a day

I know a guy that witnessed this from a speedboat nearby. He said the speedboat captain wouldn't stop to help for fear of being swamped as well.

Ferry driver suspended 6 months
November 4, 2013

The Marine Department handed a 6-month suspension to the driver of the ferry which capsized in Pattaya.

Initially, it also ordered the ferry owner to pay Bt500,000 to each family of the passengers who lost their lives. The injured will receive Bt115,000 for medical expenses.

Ferry driver suspended 6 months - The Nation


..................................


Ferry tragedy prompts safety call
November 4, 2013

In the wake of Sunday's fatal ferry accident, Chon Buri Governor Comson Ekachai has demanded the Marine Department and Pattaya City boost water-transport safety and put security guards on duty on Koh Lan around the clock.

A ferry between the island and Pattaya capsized on Sunday evening, throwing its more than 200 Thai and foreign passengers overboard, before sinking. Six people died and 24 were injured.

Comson Monday demanded that both the Marine Department and Pattaya City take concrete measures to boost water-transport safety.

"If anything [bad] happens, someone must take responsibility," he said.

Ferry tragedy prompts safety call - The Nation

Originally Posted by Mid

someone must take responsibility," he said.

captain has done a runner, no ?

Originally Posted by The Big Fella

Sadly a too often occurrence here. Safety is always second to none. Tourists need to be made more aware of this so they can take some precautions. I was working offshore when the Piper Alpha disaster happened. I lost some good friends. After that whenever I went to a rig or platform I spent an hour or so finding all the routes from the cabin I had been allocated so I could do it blindfolded if needed. I also made a mental note of where the lifeboats etc were.
I still do the same every time I get on a boat here. I make sure I know where to grab a life jacket, where the lifeboats or rafts are if they have any and I always sit where I will have easy access to the water if needed.
They always promise a crackdown whenever this type of thing happens but never do.
I offered the speedboat companies that ply between the islands here to train all their boat boys in basic first aid and in water rescue at cost but none of them were interested.
Another sad day in paradise.

I agree with everything but the last sentence. It's not a paradise, but dump anybody should avoid who doesn't suffer from unsatisfied libido. And those must be made aware that the risk to become the victim of an accident, or of a violent crime, or to catch a dangerous or chronic disease is at least ten times higher than in Europe. I wouldn't blame the Thais only, here, but an unusual high percentage of Pattaya expats and tourists is retarted. I bet the boat had a sign saying 'capacity 150 persons', and for every passenger it must have been plainly visible that the thing was overloaded with too few seats to sit down. What could possibly go wrong?

Bangkok post.

Pattaya ferry confesses to drug use The captain of a ferry that capsized about 1,500 metres offshore from Pattaya on Sunday evening has turned himself in, telling police he was high on drugs while on his duty.

Published: 04/11/2013 at 04:43 PM Writer: Online Reporters

Saman Kwanmuang, 42, turned himself into police on Sunday night, hours after his ferry capsized while returning about 200 Thai and foreign tourists from a day trip to Koh Larn.

Pol Maj Gen Katcha Tatusatra, Chon Buri police chief, said the captain confessed to officers that he took some drugs before going to work, and that he and the crew lost control of the vessel as a result. He allegedly confessed the ferry wandered off course, and hit the rocks, breaching the vessel, punching holes and letting water pour in.

According to a report in Daily News, Mr Saman realised the problem, so he turned off all power so he could try to fix the water pump. He issued no warning to his passengers, supposedly so they would not panic.

However, after 10 minutes, so much water had flowed into the bottom deck of the two-deck boat that passengers had indeed begun to panic. Squabbles broke out, apparently because there were not enough life jackets to go around, the captain allegedly told police.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed on Monday that six people died - three foreigners and three Thais. Another 18 were treated for injuries.

The known victims were identified as Chuchart Chompoonak, 53, Aree Attayoko, 67, Nanthawadee Sopithapong, 44, and To Kin Man, 48. Authorities were still trying to verify the identities of a Russian woman and another foreigner.

Earlier reports of three Russian deaths proved wrong. The Russian embassy in Bangkok said only one Russian, a woman, was confirmed dead.

The injured were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Banglamung Hospital.

A team of 10 scuba divers sent out by Chon Buri governor Komsan Aekchai on Monday to investigate the sunken ferry reported seeing a crack on the boat's bow. They found no other bodies.

Mr Komsan said the vessel will be salvaged next month.

The Marine Department will investigate the cause of the ferry’s capsizing, but an initial investigation suggested the deaths and injuries stemmed from overloading and insufficient safety equipment, the department’s director-general Sornsak Saensombat said.

The Marine Department has already revoked the captain's licence.

The double-decker ferry sank about 5.30pm on Sunday, shortly after leaving Koh Larn with a full load of passengers heading for Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The boat’s water pumps broke down, the vessel was flooded and the engine stopped functioning, he said.

The passengers panicked and moved up to the top deck of the vessel, which then over-balanced, capsized and swiftly sank.

A clusterfuck of a fuck up, in a clusterfuck of a country involving dereliction of duty, irresponsibility and stupid monkeys being allowed to be in charge of passenger vessels.

Its quite unbelievable really and shows beyond doubt that from (almost) the very top to the very bottom, our wellbeing is in the hands of retarded, greedy, ignorant, selfish and uncaring rancid toerags.

Thirty lines in the bangkok post, and no questions asked.

I get tired of responding to events like this: Hi-So Killers in cars, Lo-so van, truck. bus drivers, bibs targeting minor offences, pollies whats in it for me, and the rest.

The captain of the ferry that capsized off Pattaya killing six people has surrendered, reportedly to confess he was high on drugs at the time of the accident.

Saman Kwanmuang, 42, turned himself into police on Sunday night, hours after his ferry capsized while returning about 200 Thai and foreign tourists from a day trip to Koh Larn.

Pol Maj Gen Katcha Tatusatra, Chon Buri police chief, said the captain confessed to officers that he took some drugs before going to work, and that he and the crew lost control of the vessel as a result. He allegedly confessed the ferry wandered off course, and hit the rocks, breaching the vessel, punching holes and letting water pour in.

According to a report in Daily News, Mr Saman realised the problem, so he turned off all power so he could try to fix the water pump. He issued no warning to his passengers, supposedly so they would not panic.

However, after 10 minutes, so much water had flowed into the bottom deck of the two-deck boat that passengers had indeed begun to panic. Squabbles broke out, apparently because there were not enough life jackets to go around, the captain allegedly told police.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed on Monday that six people died - three foreigners and three Thais. Another 18 were treated for injuries.

The known victims were identified as Chuchart Chompoonak, 53, Aree Attayoko, 67, Nanthawadee Sopithapong, 44, and To Kin Man, 48. Authorities were still trying to verify the identities of a Russian woman and another foreigner.

Earlier reports of three Russian deaths proved wrong. The Russian embassy in Bangkok said only one Russian, a woman was confirmed dead.
The injured were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Banglamung Hospital

A team of 10 scuba divers sent out by Chon Buri governor Komsan Aekchai on Monday to investigate the sunken ferry reported seeing a crack on the boat's bow. They found no other bodies.

Mr Komsan said the vessel will be salvaged next month.

The Marine Department will investigate the cause of the ferry’s capsizing, but an initial investigation suggested the deaths and injuries stemmed from overloading and insufficient safety equipment, the department’s director-general Sornsak Saensombat said.

The Marine Department has already revoked the captain's licence.

The double-decker ferry sank about 5.30pm on Sunday, shortly after leaving Koh Larn with a full load of passengers heading for Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya. The boat’s water pumps broke down, the vessel was flooded and the engine stopped functioning, he said.

The passengers panicked and moved up to the top deck of the vessel, which then over-balanced, capsized and swiftly sank.

Pattaya ferry confesses to drug use | Bangkok Post: news

Originally Posted by taxexile

clusterfuck of a fuck up, in a clusterfuck of a country involving dereliction of duty, irresponsibility and stupid monkeys being allowed to be in charge of passenger vessels. Its quite unbelievable really and shows beyond doubt that from (almost) the very top to the very bottom, our wellbeing is in the hands of retarded, greedy, ignorant, selfish and uncaring rancid toerags. Thirty lines in the bangkok post, and no questions asked.

Abso Fookin Lutely! No face saving thai krap this time..the fukin wankers! Please please let this be known to the whole world what a fukin shit load of fuckin shite these people amount to..thai monkey shit!

RIP to those that fell victim of thai incompetence

Incompetence is one thing, this was criminal negligence triggered by sheer greed.

I do the same as habit, anytime in a Thai bar/restaurant, building, ferry or other place that ought to be subject to safety regs. Even in a taxi over distances the driver always knows his max is 80.