After two deaths and several injuries since the beginning of the year, around 80 longtail boats with roofs have been recalled to Krabi in southern Thailand.
Krabi Marine Office recalled the boats after three longtail boats capsized in the past two months.
There are about 80 longtail boats in Krabi that have been modified with these roofs to be able to take tours with groups of tourists.
Roofs would make boats less stable in strong winds and they make small boats heavier, which could cause them to capsize.
They are all due to undergo further safety tests at the Krabi Marine Office.
The office wants to ensure safety ahead of the influx of tourists expected for the Songkran festival, the Thai New Year in April.
More recently, on February 5, nine Swedish tourists survived after a longtail boat capsized in Krabi.
The tourists were taking pictures and all stood on one side of the boat, causing the boat to tip over, start taking on water and eventually sink.
All passengers were wearing life jackets and were rescued by authorities.
On January 25, a Malaysian mother and her six-year-old daughter were sadly not so lucky, dying after a longtail boat capsized in Krabi.
The boat's captain said strong waves hit the boat and caused it to capsize near Hang Nak Cape in Ao Nang.
The four occupants of the boat ended up in the sea, but a local fishing boat rescued them.
Unfortunately, the Malaysian woman and her daughter were already unconscious when they were rescued, and they were pronounced dead at the hospital.
On January 7, two foreign tourists and a boat captain were rescued after a longtail boat capsized, with a similar story to the others.
Strong waves hit the boat before water rushed into the vessel, causing it to sink.
The boat capsized between Hong Island and Cape Hang Nak, and rescue teams arrived to find the boat being towed and rescued by two other tour boats.
The boat's captain and the two foreign tourists were brought back to shore safely.
Source: The Phuket Express
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