PHUKET: A weather warning to small boats would be issued for the Phuket region today - if forecasters were still able to issue one.
However, according to a spokesman from the Phuket-based Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast), the forecasters no longer are able to issue warnings that small boats should not put to sea.
''The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation now has that responsibility,'' the spokesman said, ''even though their warnings are based on the information that we supply to them.''
Bad weather is predicted on Phuket, in Phang Nga and Krabi today and every day until Thursday. There's a 60 percent chance of rain each day.
The DDPM has issued a written warning about the dangers of landslips but the warning does not mention small boats.
Most of the DDPM's activities in the past have been associated with potential problems based on land.
''We still tell people who telephone us whether or not it's safe to put to sea,'' the forecaster said.
Marine Police were investigating a distress signal from a fishing boat about 20 miles off Bang Tao beach today.
The fishing boat, with about 10 crew on board, asked for help about 8.30am and then could not be contacted a short time later.
However, according to a spokesman from the Phuket-based Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast), the forecasters no longer are able to issue warnings that small boats should not put to sea.
''The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation now has that responsibility,'' the spokesman said, ''even though their warnings are based on the information that we supply to them.''
Bad weather is predicted on Phuket, in Phang Nga and Krabi today and every day until Thursday. There's a 60 percent chance of rain each day.
The DDPM has issued a written warning about the dangers of landslips but the warning does not mention small boats.
Most of the DDPM's activities in the past have been associated with potential problems based on land.
''We still tell people who telephone us whether or not it's safe to put to sea,'' the forecaster said.
Marine Police were investigating a distress signal from a fishing boat about 20 miles off Bang Tao beach today.
The fishing boat, with about 10 crew on board, asked for help about 8.30am and then could not be contacted a short time later.
The "official" warning should come from Marine region 5 and should be clearly posted at ALL points, especially where tours depart from. This would give tourist the chance to cancel their trip, therefore putting some responsibility on the tourist.
Posted by Phuket_IOC on June 2, 2013 11:08