Illegal speed boat service rampant in Van Don

Unlicensed speed boats are operating at Cai Rong Port to pick up tourists for trips to Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands in Quang Ninh Province.

Unlicensed speed boats are operating at Cai Rong Port to pick up tourists for trips to Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands in Quang Ninh Province.

  

An illegal boat in Quang Ninh

As soon as tourists near Cai Rong Port, they are greeted and invited to use speed boat services. The employees said tourists can save time using their service or they will have to wait for hours at Cai Rong Port.

The boats dock near a sand strip near Cai Rong Port and leave after collecting enough passengers. However, ticket prices are not cheaper compared to the boats operating at Cai Rong Port. According to the boat owners, five to six illegal boats operate there.

"One of the perks is these boats are small so they collect passengers very quickly and leave early, especially during busy days," a boat owner said.

These illegal boats have their own employees that go out to find passengers. Even the ticket sellers of some boats at Cai Rong Port also work to find passengers for illegal boats. When the passengers go to ticket booths, the sellers say that they have run out of tickets and introduce them to the illegal boat employees. Several ticket sellers have been fired in the past for this.

Vu Manh Long, director of Quang Ninh Inland Waterways Administration, confirmed that these boats belong to several households that do not have contracts with Cai Rong Port.

"We’re working with the related agencies and have asked boat owners to explain their operation. We'll increase security and inspections to detect and deal with illegal boats," he said.