The collision cracked the boat’s hull and it started taking on water, but luckily for those on board crews on the fishing vessels had witnessed the accident and rushed over to help. Some tourists were already in the sea but were able to stay afloat as they already had life jackets on.
The 63 adults and children on board the Rak Thalae boat were all rescued and none the worse for their untimely dip in the Andaman. Nat Kongkesorn is the head ranger at the Similan Islands National Park and he said that the fact the captain of the tour boat had made passengers put on their lifejackets when they boarded had ensured there were no casualties.
He added that it was now mandatory for passengers to wear lifejackets when on sightseeing trips in the region. Regarding the stricken tour boat, he noted that it was seaworthy, new and was carrying less than its maximum capacity of 70 passengers.
The Similan Islands are a firm favourite with tourists who visit Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi. Stunning beaches, sparkling seas and scuba-diving are among the islands’ attractions. 12GO ASIA sells online tickets for travel to Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi.
Driftwood scuttles tourist boat on Similan Islands trip
News in Asia
Fishing vessels rescued more than 60 tourists from a sinking tour boat close to the Andaman Sea’s Similan archipelago on Wednesday evening. The high-speed tourist boat had collided with a piece of floating timber as it was returning to port in Phang Nga at 17:00.