The Hanoi Department of Transport has detected many violations by tourist ships and floating restaurants on the West Lake.
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| One of the pleasure boats operating on West Lake in Ha Noi. The Transport Department has inspected tourist ships and floating restautants there to improve safety. (Photo: VNS) |
For instance, the department found that the West Lake Service Joint-stock Company\'s shipping permit expired in October, 2009.
It also found that three out of its 115 ships and canoes were unregistered. And one ship, the "02", did not even have a captain.
"All of the 100 swan boats owned by the company had life-jackets, but its employees often forgot to tell passengers it was necessary to wear them," said the department\'s deputy chief inspector, Tran Dang Hai.
On behalf of the company, representative Phuong Nang Thang admitted to all of the violations and promised to correct them.
He said the "02" ship did not have a captain because its engines had been out of work for a long time.
"We pledge not to operate the ship until it meets safety standards," said Thang.
The department claimed that another ship, the Potomac, from the Potomac Riverboat Company, actually did operate without a captain and pilot. It cruised the water run by a mate and seven sailors – but again, none of the sailors had sailor certificates.
It was also claimed that the ship had room for 335 passengers but was fitted out with 30 less than this.
For the violations, the department\'s inspectors temporarily suspended the Potomac from operation. They said it could run again only when it complied with all waterway safety regulations. For the next week, the inspectors will check the remaining ships on the lake, focusing on life-jackets and their quality to ensure the safety of tourists.
More than 10 ships have permits to operate on West Lake.
