SOME LOCAL divers are concerned that a boat-and-diver collision of the kind that killed one Russian and seriously injured his companion off Pattaya this week could happen off Phuket.
While Phuket has a new sea rescue service on the way, little is done for safety education, one senior industry member, who prefers to remain anonymous, told Phuketwan.
The Russians were struck by the propellors of a tour boat while scuba diving off Pattaya on Monday.
''It would certainly help to prevent another killing if the Thai authorities gave the drivers of speed boats, dive boats and ferries a proper education up to international standard,'' he said.
He added that congested areas off Phuket remained the most dangerous.
''At Maya Bay [famed for the film 'The Beach' near Phi Phi] speedboats and large ferry boats are moving among hundred of snorkelers and divers,'' he said.
''All coral reefs are sometimes visited by speedboats travelling at high speed to impress tourists.
''Divers may be resurfacing. Regulations stipulate a three-knot speed near shore, or close to reefs.
''Large powered dive boats (20-35 meters) and dive speedboats are dropping and picking up divers on dive sites where tender dinghies should be in use for safety.
''Regulations say boats should be at least 50 meters off any dive site, marked by blue and white flags, and use dinghies for dropping and picking-up divers.''
The dive operator nominated the Similans, Surin Island and Richelieu Rock are the most dangerous places for divers, with sometimes more than 10 dive boats at Richelieu Rock at the same time.
A budget of 17 million baht has been allocated to purchase three boats and create an Andaman Sea Rescue Service for Phuket and neighboring provinces, possibly before 2011.
Phuketwan believes the amount has been set aside because of the poor performance of existing services after the capsize of a dive boat last year.
Seven people on board, six of them tourists, drowned. The 23 survivors bobbed in broad daylight in liferaft for many hours before they managed to organise their own rescue.
Phuket's Sea Rescue to be Boosted by BoatsWhile Phuket has a new sea rescue service on the way, little is done for safety education, one senior industry member, who prefers to remain anonymous, told Phuketwan.
The Russians were struck by the propellors of a tour boat while scuba diving off Pattaya on Monday.
''It would certainly help to prevent another killing if the Thai authorities gave the drivers of speed boats, dive boats and ferries a proper education up to international standard,'' he said.
He added that congested areas off Phuket remained the most dangerous.
''At Maya Bay [famed for the film 'The Beach' near Phi Phi] speedboats and large ferry boats are moving among hundred of snorkelers and divers,'' he said.
''All coral reefs are sometimes visited by speedboats travelling at high speed to impress tourists.
''Divers may be resurfacing. Regulations stipulate a three-knot speed near shore, or close to reefs.
''Large powered dive boats (20-35 meters) and dive speedboats are dropping and picking up divers on dive sites where tender dinghies should be in use for safety.
''Regulations say boats should be at least 50 meters off any dive site, marked by blue and white flags, and use dinghies for dropping and picking-up divers.''
The dive operator nominated the Similans, Surin Island and Richelieu Rock are the most dangerous places for divers, with sometimes more than 10 dive boats at Richelieu Rock at the same time.
A budget of 17 million baht has been allocated to purchase three boats and create an Andaman Sea Rescue Service for Phuket and neighboring provinces, possibly before 2011.
Phuketwan believes the amount has been set aside because of the poor performance of existing services after the capsize of a dive boat last year.
Seven people on board, six of them tourists, drowned. The 23 survivors bobbed in broad daylight in liferaft for many hours before they managed to organise their own rescue.
Latest Drownings on Phuket waters appear to have triggered a special budget allocation of 17 million to buy rescue boats that will serve the island and four other provinces.
Phuket's Sea Rescue to be Boosted by Boats
Phuket Scamdinavians: Tourists Rip Off a Holiday
Latest A Phuket case that tugged at people's hearts before Christmas turns out to be a calculated attempt at winning sympathy by a couple who like others to pay for their holidays.
Phuket Scamdinavians: Tourists Rip Off a Holiday
Phuket Boat Show Indicates Smoother Sailing
Latest The Pimex Phuket International Boat Show has been hailed as a success and potentially a pointer to better economic times. It will be a separate event again next year, says the managing director.
Phuket Boat Show Indicates Smoother Sailing
Let Phuket Rip: No Action As Drownings Mount
Latest Thai law is hampering the provision of a lifeguard system at Phuket's most popular beaches, prompting the likelihood that more needless drownings are inevitable in 2010.
Let Phuket Rip: No Action As Drownings Mount
I agree. I was snorkelling off a small island just before Christmas off the coast of Phuket and was nearly nailed by a speedboat that missed me by a couple of feet. I never even heard it coming.
Posted by Anonymous on January 13, 2010 17:09