Previously, on February 27, the sleeper boat Signature Royal, while carrying tourists to visit Ha Long Bay, had a fire incident.
Immediately after receiving the information, functional forces promptly deployed rescue and relief work, ensuring safety for all passengers and crew members.
The incident did not cause any casualties, but caused great property damage and affected the tourism image in Ha Long Bay.
Faced with the above situation, the Quang Ninh Department of Construction requests tourist ship owners operating in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay to urgently review all technical safety conditions and environmental protection of vehicles; only put ships into operation when they fully meet safety regulations.
In which, it is required to focus on thoroughly checking the electrical system, absolutely not to leave flammable materials near areas at risk of fire and explosion; regularly clean areas with potential unsafety risks and promptly overcome points at risk of fire and explosion.
Vehicle owners should not arbitrarily extend, change the structure or install additional electrical equipment or heat-generating equipment outside the design that has been appraised; all changes must be approved by competent authorities. Vehicle owners will be responsible before the law if violations occur.
Request tourist ships to arrange sufficient safety equipment, fire prevention and fighting equipment and life-saving equipment; disseminate safety regulations, and guide passengers to use life jackets before leaving the port.
Warning devices, fire alarm systems, public broadcasting systems and radio equipment must be maintained in operation 24/24 hours.
For the Waterway Port Authority and Quang Ninh Inland Waterway Vehicle Registration, the Department of Construction requests to review the inspection and port departure permit process, ensuring that vehicles are only allowed to depart when they meet safety conditions, have full papers, are in accordance with the crew size and number of passengers. Strengthen the monitoring of vehicle operations through the GPS/AIS positioning system to promptly detect and handle unusual situations.
Inland waterway vehicle registration units in the province strengthen inspection of technical safety conditions, especially electrical systems, fire prevention and fighting equipment and radio equipment on tourist ships; resolutely request to overcome existing problems before issuing technical safety and environmental protection certificates for vehicles.
