Phuket Marine Office to destroy abandoned Chinese fishing boats

PHUKET: All marine operators have been warned to keep clear of Tha Chatchai Pier in the Chong Bpark Phra canal separating Phuket from the mainland while officers from the Phuket Marine Office break apart five Chinese fishing boats left abandoned at the pier.

The notice issued by the Phuket Marine Office marked where teh five abandoned Chinese fishing boats will be broken apart. Image: Google Maps / Phuket Marine Office

The warning came in a notice issued by Chief Phuket Marine Office Wiwat Chitchertwong today (May 17).

“All forms of water transport are to stay away from the area where the boats will be destroyed. The work will from Sunday onward,” Mr Wiwat wrote.

“We will seal off the area near Tha Chatchai Pier by marking the area with red buoys,” he added.

Mr Wiwat gave the co-ordinates of location of the deconstruction area as 8.195929 N, 98.302283 E.

The five fishing boats have remain unused at the pier for about 10 years, Mr Wiwat said.

“They are legal fishing boats. The operators did not commit any crimes, but the boats have remained abandoned for a long time,” he said.

“The boats are just taking up mooring spaces at the pier, and so the owner in China has given the Thai representative permission for the boats to be destroyed,” he said.

“We are following Section 121 of the Navigation in Thai Waters Act 1979. We must warn other vessels to stay away for safety while the fishing boats are being destroyed,” he added.