Tour boats in Ha Long Bay
The boat changed direction and headed to a shoal near Ngon Tay Islet to transfer tourists to two other boats.
Le Hong Thang, director of Quang Ninh Inland Waterway Administration, said they were inspecting the boat to find the cause of the leak and a solution. Its operation has been halted. Quang Ninh People's Committee has directed agencies to tighten inspection and management of vessels as well as requirements for crew members to avoid accidents.
On February 13, the provincial authorities halted the overnight service of all wooden tour boats in Ha Long Bay following a boat fire.
A Bhaya Group boat was anchored near Cua Van fishing village while five Americans and two Vietnamese tourists were kayaking in the bay. The crew discovered the fire at 3 pm and removed the passenger luggage. On January 10, a fire also broke out on a boat of Anh Duong Company with 14 tourists and six crew members who successfully escaped the boat.
Last year, a tourism boat carrying 37 mostly foreign passengers also caught fire on Ha Long Bay. Many passengers were forced to jump into the water and swim ashore.
