Ignoring the regulations
Every day, Ms. NTT from Tan Tien commune (Gia Loc district) usually rides her motorbike from her home to Nua market (Thanh Ha district) to sell vermicelli. The Lang ferry terminal, connecting An Phuong commune (Thanh Ha district) and Binh Lang commune (Tu Ky district), is very familiar to her. Thanks to this ferry, Ms. T. has saved herself dozens of kilometers. Every step, from getting on her motorbike to turning around, is performed skillfully by Ms. T., demonstrating her experience. She even prepares small change to pay for the ferry fare. “Compared to the other passenger boats around here, the Lang ferry is one of the biggest; even small trucks can cross,” Ms. T. said. When asked about wearing a life jacket, Ms. T. said: “Life jackets are stacked on the ferry; whoever wants to wear one can. But why bother? The ferry ride only takes a few minutes to get to the other side, and then you have to take it off again, wasting time.”
Wearing life jackets when crossing rivers by ferry is a mandatory regulation, but not everyone complies. The situation of passengers ignoring the rule and not wearing life jackets when crossing by ferry is still occurring in many places. Compliance is only strictly enforced when authorities conduct inspections. According to those with extensive experience on waterways, if an accident occurs on a river and the person is not equipped with a life jacket, drowning is very likely to happen. This is especially true during storms, when accidents can occur at any time.
Despite not being permitted to carry cars, on the morning of May 23rd, a single-hulled ferry at Sy ferry terminal (Thanh Ha) brazenly transported trucks. Carrying cars across the river without permission violates regulations on waterway safety and poses a significant safety risk to both people and vehicles crossing the river. Such disregard for safety is truly dangerous.
Firm action will be taken against violations.
The Kinh Mon River is a large, deep river. A single-hulled ferry at the Bai Mac ferry terminal in Thuong Quan commune (Kinh Mon district) crosses the river daily, transporting hundreds of passengers from both sides of Thuong Quan commune. According to Bui Van Son, the ferry driver, during the rainy season, heavy rains, strong winds, and large waves make travel difficult for watercraft. Heavy rains can cause riverbank erosion, posing many dangers. Therefore, before the rainy season, Mr. Son prepares lifebuoys, rescue equipment, and other safety gear. “We have signed a commitment with the traffic police to comply with inland waterway traffic laws,” Mr. Son said.
To proactively ensure safety of inland waterway traffic during the 2024 rainy and stormy season, the Inland Waterway Traffic Police Team, under the Traffic Police Department (Hai Duong Provincial Police), has proactively implemented many measures. Along with strengthening the dissemination of legal regulations on inland waterway traffic safety and measures to respond to storms and floods; organizing commitment signing with vessel owners, the traffic police force has intensified patrols, inspections, and strictly handled violations. From the beginning of the year to mid-May, the authorities have fined 196 cases of violations with a total amount of nearly 500 million VND.
Currently, the province has 59 inland waterway terminals and 65 operating vessels, many of which play an important role in trade. In 2023 and the first four months of 2024, the province experienced two waterway traffic accidents, with no casualties.
The nature of waterway accidents is catastrophic and unpredictable; therefore, as the peak of the rainy and stormy season of 2024 approaches, authorities need to intensify inspections and resolutely handle violations. Ferry operators, boat owners, and passengers need to raise their awareness and strictly comply with traffic regulations to ensure safe journeys.
According to Article 17 of Government Decree 139/2021/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the field of inland waterway transport, the act of exploiting or using a vessel for purposes other than those specified in its registration will be subject to a fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 3,000,000 for non-motorized vessels with a total carrying capacity of up to 15 tons or a passenger capacity of up to 12 people, or motorized vessels with a total main engine power of less than 5 horsepower or a passenger capacity of less than 5 people; and a fine of VND 3,000,000 to VND 5,000,000 for motorized vessels with a total main engine power of 5 to 15 horsepower or a passenger capacity of 5 to 12 people. A fine of VND 5,000,000 to VND 7,000,000 will be imposed on non-motorized vehicles with a total payload exceeding 15 tons but less than 250 tons, or with a passenger capacity exceeding 12 but less than 50 people; and on motorized vehicles with a total main engine power exceeding 15 horsepower but less than 135 horsepower, or with a passenger capacity exceeding 12 but less than 50 people.
Article 16, violations of regulations on safety equipment and devices of vehicles shall be subject to a fine of VND 500,000 to VND 1,000,000 for the act of not equipping or not equipping enough life jackets or personal flotation devices as prescribed, with the fine calculated per life jacket or personal flotation device.
Clause 3, Article 3 of Decree 139/2021/ND-CP stipulates a fine of VND 1,000,000 to VND 2,000,000 for individuals who do not wear life jackets or carry personal flotation devices when traveling on passenger vessels crossing rivers (ferries, boats, etc.).
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