July Report – Safety at Sea
Hi Shipmates
As you may recall, last month I wrote about the stupidity of many tourists and the greed of numerous boat operators, little realizing I was predicting yet another maritime tragedy. Condolences to all those left behind and shame on “all those” who turned a blind eye to the conditions, which were all too obvious and predicted well in advance.
If I can go from “Pirate to Prophet” so easily, those responsible for public safety at sea, and in general, should have the authority to act on behalf public safety and if they already have this power and not acted, be replaced immediately with people who actually know what they are doing.
Does anyone remember the chain across the pier to stop access for parking, when the buses had to drive up and “reverse” down the pier - So how about the same thing for extreme weather conditions and no buses? If you remember the crazy chain idea, how about the “new” marina which has been falling to bits ever since it was built, or the concrete “mooring buoy” blocks which actually sunk a dive boat, lost their buoys and had to be moved. Or the section of pier that recently sunk. Or the bus that nearly blew off the pier – and now this catastrophe.
As an old Scottish pirate/piper once said:- “When Big Business and Crime (zero dollar tourism) get into bed together, listen to the music and you will know who’s paying the piper.” Unfortunately, Thailand being what it is, unless there is a fundamental change in the Thai psyche and therefore their approach to problems, or lack thereof, we will continue to hear this tragic lament?
Although it sounds like an oxymoron, I have been told there is a word in the Thai dictionary for “logic” which I have spent many years coming to terms with, now unfortunately and belatedly, I have to add “responsibility” and “accountability” to my list of words that don’t travel comfortably or accurately across the borders into Thailand, causing all sorts of things to fall short of “internationally accepted” standards which would be the solution to many of their difficulties. But don’t rock the boat, seems to be the order of the day.
Nice to see Russians have their “Essex Girls” too.
Going out to sea from Chalong, a Russian tourist asked a friend of mine, while pointing at the windmill on the hill. “What’s that?” Without blinking and with a deadpan face, Colin said. “O that’s the air-con for Nai Harn Beach, it keeps the tourists cool.” Priceless. Hook, line, & sinker!
Wind, wind and more wind (and not just from me) and as there is no point in a weather report, and still trying to stay topical, this month’s Pic (above left) is what happens to carbon fiber rods, when struck by lightning. The second photo (above right) is of my late pal “Chook” one of the fishermen who also lost their lives in the storm. R.I.P. Chook.
As usual, tight lines to all - when we eventually manage to get out.
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