The life jacket is again mentioned when newspapers and social networks reported on two boat capsizing incidents right during the Binh Ngo Tet holiday.
A boat carrying 7 people capsized on the Gianh River in Quang Tri, killing 2 people and leaving 2 missing. After that, a boat capsizing on Thac Ba Lake (Lao Cai province) also caused many people to fall into the water, and functional forces had to mobilize hundreds of people overnight to search.
The common point is that many victims are not equipped with life jackets.
Many ferry capsizes and ship capsizes with serious consequences are often explained by familiar reasons: Vehicle collision, bad weather, deep water, big waves, overload, vehicle owners lack experience... But behind these direct causes, there is a question to be asked: If all passengers wore standard life jackets, would the consequences be so serious?
Reality shows that in many waterway accidents, victims die not because of strong impacts but because they cannot float on their own after falling into the water. Just a few minutes of panic in the cold water, especially for young children and the elderly, the chance of survival is slim. Life jackets cannot prevent accidents, but they can prevent death.
The problem is that at many ferry terminals, small tourist boats, and spontaneous boats, wearing life jackets is still formalistic. In some places, life jackets are issued but passengers do not wear them; in some places, life jackets are lacking, old, and broken; even some vehicles are not fully equipped.
The law does not lack regulations on waterway traffic safety. For example, Decree 139/2021/ND-CP on sanctioning administrative violations in the field of inland waterway traffic, the act of not wearing life jackets when traveling by ferry or ferry is fined up to 2 million VND.
Vehicle owners are responsible for equipping life jackets or equivalent floating devices; passengers must comply with safety instructions.However, reality shows that inspection and supervision are not regular and lack deterrence.
In many localities, especially riverine areas, ferry and small boat activities take place spontaneously, serving daily travel needs or spring festivals.When an accident occurs, functional forces intervene, but before that, control is almost lax.
A paradox that has existed for a long time is: on roads, not wearing a helmet can be penalized immediately; but on waterways, not wearing a life jacket - in many cases - is easily overlooked. This difference inadvertently creates a mentality of underestimating river and water risks.
Tightening the regulation on wearing life jackets is not simply increasing fines, but changing the safe approach. Wearing life jackets should be considered absolutely mandatory, similar to wearing a helmet when riding a motorbike.
The law may be tightened, functional forces may inspect, but the decisive factor is still each person's awareness. When boarding a ferry, passengers have the full right to request to be given life jackets and wear them properly. That proactiveness is not to make it difficult for the ferry driver, but to protect themselves and their families.
Looking back at the recent incidents, the most painful thing is that among the victims are young children and the elderly. They are not strong enough to fend for themselves when an accident occurs. A standard life jacket, worn on, can make a difference between life and death.
When participating in waterway traffic, always remember that life jackets are a life-saving vehicle in bad situations.
