>> Ha Long Bay accident prompts tighter scrutiny over boats
>> Captain and 4 crew arrested for Ha Long Bay accident
>> Tourist boat’s hull “suddenly broke”, killing 12 in Ha Long Bay
The captain and chief mechanic boat involved in the tragic accident in Ha Long Bay are under investigation for responsibility in the incident.
 |
| The boat No. QN5198 |
Captain Nguyen Van Minh, 22 and Chief Mechanic Do Van Thang, 27, are accused of “gross negligence”, said Dang Huy Hau, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.
Hau told DTiNews that an investigation has been carried out on the unfortunate ship named Truong Hai 06. The boat was brought ashore on February 19.
No holes were found in the ships hull, as the crew had reported earlier. They’d said that the ship’s bottom “suddenly broke” leading to water rushing in, and the eventual sinking of the vessel. In fact, the investigation has led to suspicions that the chief mechanic may have forgotten to close a valve that regulates the incoming seawater that cools the engine; while the captain and his crew may had neglected their night-shift duties and as a result could not respond as water poured into the boat.
Further investigations are under way to find the exact cause, which may lead to legal action.
The boat, No. QN5198, owned by Truong Hai Co., Ltd, was built in 2008, was over 20-metres long, seven-metres wide and has a capacity to carry 30 passengers.
As of February 20, authorities in northern Quang Ninh Province have handed over remains of nine foreigners who died in the shipwreck to the embassies of their respective countries. The remains of a U.S. tourist would be handed over February 21.
The province of Quang Ninh has set up an inspection group to check the safety of tourist boats in Ha Long Bay, lasting from February 19 until February 22.
The provincial People\'s Committee has agreed to provide VND20 million (USD957) to the family of each victim killed in the accident and VND10 million (USD478) to each survivor to help mitigate the damages.