More than 20 unlicensed motorboats are operating illegally at Cai Rong Port and Bai Tu Long Bay.
A passenger, Nguyen Duy Luong, said that he and a group of six friends had a bad experience when going on an unlicensed motorboat in Bai Tu Long Bay in March.
"When we arrived at Cai Rong Port, a man approached us and invited us to use his motorboat service," Luong shared. "He said motorboat would be more convenient for a small group like us and was faster than other passenger boats. He charged VND3 million for a trip from Cai Rong Port to Ngoc Vung Island and we agreed."
However, the boat was then spotted by some staff of the Quang Ninh Maritime Administration who prevented it from operating at Cai Rong Port. So the group had to walk to a nearby area of shore to get onboard. The boatman admitted that he couldn't register his old boat with local authorities after attaching a high-powered engine to it. There were no safety instructions nor rescue information given to passengers.
"We felt worried for our safety during the trip," Luong said. "Luckily we were taken to Ngoc Vung Island safely. And no forces appeared to check it."
Luong said that he would not use this service next time.
According to the Quang Ninh Maritime Administration, there are over 20 unlicensed motorboats operating illegally in Bai Tu Long Bay. They are mostly old boats that fail to meet standards so pose lots of risks for passengers. Many still operate in bad weather.
"We've raised the problems with Van Don District authorities and local water police many times but the situation has not been resolved,” the administration said.
Motorboats operate illegally in Bay Tu Long Bay
More than 20 unlicensed motorboats are operating illegally at Cai Rong Port and Bai Tu Long Bay.
Source: dtinews.vn
