This boat – which is now banned in Kandal province – took some of its final passengers across the river this week. KANDAL ADMINISTRATION
The Kandal provincial administration issued a warning that it will shut down any ferryboat business that does not comply with current safety standards. An appropriately sized steel vessel must be employed, rather than the single or twin hulled wooden boats that were previously used, in addition to other safety requirements.
The December 30 warning followed a province-wide inspection of ferries by the province’s Administrative Unity Command. The inspections determined that some ferry operators vessels were yet to comply with the latest technical requirements, said provincial governor Kong Sophorn.
He added that the tragic October 12 sinking of a ferry on Koh Chamroeun village, Kampong Phnom commune, Loeuk Dek district – which left 12 young students dead – has led to increased vigilance within the sector.
The administration has called for an immediate cessation of the use of rowing boats and their replacement with steel-hulled ferries which are large enough to ensure the safety of passengers. In addition, ferry owners are required to build landing facilities which meet the standards set by authorities. Finally, the captains of each vessel must be licensed.
“Our inspection teams determined that some business owners are not yet adhering to the latest regulations. For the safety of our passengers, we need to halt the operations of any ferry business that does not follow the guidelines,” said Sophorn.
He added that the provincial administration will give ferry operators 30 day’s grace from the date of the announcement to make sure they update their procedures and to give them time to obtain licenses for the staff who need them.
In addition, all ferry businesses must be financially evaluated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and approved by the provincial administration before they can begin operations.
He advised local authorities to deploy at least one village security guard at each ferry port to protect the safety of passengers and told them to post signs which would explain basic safety rules to passengers. Thorough technical inspections should be carried out of each vessel, with special attention paid to the condition of flotation devices, rigging and navigation lights.
Chap Chanvithya, the district governor of Loeuk Dek, told The Post that he had instructed commune authorities to prepare a schedule of village security guards and send it to the district administration for review.
“We have already set up a management team to deal with this. We are just waiting for commune officials to submit the proposed schedules,” he said.
He explained that there are six ferry businesses operating in his district, three with steel-hulled vessels and three of timber.
“I have made it clear to the owners of wooden boats that they must replace them with steel-hulled ferries of an appropriate size to meet the provincial administration’s requirements,” he said.
Khiev Samphorn, a part-time ferry operator in the community of Koh Chamroeun village, told The Post that the river has receded around the village and he was not currently carrying passengers.
However, he said he could not afford to replace his wooden vessel with a steel boat.
“My boat is wooden, but it is as big as a ferry, not small. Aside from the timber hull, it meets all technical and safety requirements. It can carry up to five tonnes of cargo, but I only use it to help the villagers get to work or school during the rainy season. I cannot afford to have a steel vessel built for part-time use,” he added.
Samphorn explained that village residents can travel by car or bike now that the water levels have gone down. He was worried about what would happen to them when they are cut off by the river next rainy season.
