Efforts to maintain peace on the river

The situation regarding order and safety of inland waterway traffic in Tay Ninh province still harbors many complex factors. Currently, the practice of operators of rudimentary vessels and passengers on passenger boats crossing rivers not wearing life jackets remains common.

Law enforcement officers patrol and monitor the waterway.

Lieutenant Colonel Hua Quoc Vinh – Team Leader of Waterway Police Team No. 1, Traffic Police Department, Tay Ninh Provincial Police, said: “People living along the riverbanks often pay little attention to wearing life jackets when participating in waterway traffic. Therefore, Waterway Police Team No. 1 has increased its forces to inspect and guide ferry owners and operators to ensure the safety of passengers when participating in waterway traffic, complying with the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic, especially focusing on wearing life jackets and ensuring the availability of life-saving and rescue equipment.”

Mr. Huynh Van Phuc (residing in Duc Hue commune, Tay Ninh province), who has been a ferry captain for about 20 years, said: "To ensure the safety of ferry passengers, we always remind and distribute life jackets to everyone. I myself have all the necessary documents as required and I do not consume alcohol or beer while driving the ferry."

Waterway police officers inspect compliance with regulations by operators of waterway vehicles.

To ensure order and safety on inland waterways, the Traffic Police Department of Tay Ninh Provincial Police has established three specialized patrol and control teams to handle violations in the province. Specifically, Team No. 1 is under the jurisdiction of Waterway Police Team No. 1; Team No. 2 is under the jurisdiction of Waterway Police Team No. 2; and Team No. 3 is under the responsibility of the Phuoc Dong Waterway Police Station.

“The No. 1 Waterway Police Team is concentrating its forces and equipping itself with professional technical equipment to strengthen the handling of four specific issues: cargo vessels exceeding the waterline mark; vessels without registration or inspection certificates; vessels without professional certificates; and violations related to alcohol concentration. The team has also advised the leadership of the Traffic Police Department to develop a plan and organize public awareness campaigns, especially at river ferry terminals, for users of rudimentary watercraft, and households living along the river. The traffic police are coordinating with the commune-level police along the route to educate people about and ensure compliance with the Inland Waterway Traffic Law, preventing violations and contributing to reducing accidents; and encouraging everyone to sign commitments to comply with the law when participating in waterway traffic,” the team leader of the No. 1 Waterway Police Team further shared.

Waterway police officers reminded vessel operators to pay attention to fire prevention and control.

While operating his vessel on the waterway, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan (42 years old, residing in Dong Thap province) strictly adheres to legal regulations to ensure his own safety and the safety of other road users. Mr. Tuan shared: “When operating the vessel, I do not drink alcohol, use drugs or prohibited substances; and I do not carry cargo beyond the waterline mark. I also equip myself with life jackets, fire extinguishers, and other life-saving and rescue equipment to prevent accidents and incidents that may occur.”

Participating in the awareness campaign organized by the Traffic Police Department in coordination with the Hoa Khanh and Duc Hue commune police, owners of river ferry terminals, operators of watercraft, and residents living along the river gained much useful knowledge and skills in handling situations, equipping themselves with and using lifebuoys, rescue equipment, and fire prevention and firefighting equipment correctly.

Donating life jackets to people living along the river.

Ms. Le Thi Rieng (residing in Duc Hue commune), the owner of the Nguyen Hoang Nham ferry terminal in Thanh Son hamlet, Duc Hue commune, said: "After participating in the awareness campaign, I have learned many useful lessons. I will remind the captains not to consume alcohol while driving the ferry, and to distribute life jackets to passengers before the ferry leaves the dock."

Lieutenant Colonel Van Minh Thang - Deputy Head of Waterway Police Team No. 1, Traffic Police Department, Tay Ninh Provincial Police, said: “In addition to propaganda work, the functional forces also focus on patrolling and controlling, including identifying routes, areas and sections of rivers that are complex and dangerous to strengthen forces and means for inspection, control and strictly handle violations. In particular, we focus on violations that are the cause of traffic accidents such as: unregistered or uninspected vehicles; vehicle operators without professional certificates...”

In the final months of the year, the No. 1 Waterway Police Team will strengthen coordination with functional forces in the area, inspect river ferry terminals as well as the operating conditions of vessels on the route regarding registration and inspection; check the use of alcohol by crew members; resolutely handle cases of deliberate violations; and strive to reduce traffic accidents on waterways.

Phuong Thao - Tuyet Nhung

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/no-luc-giu-binh-yen-tren-tuyen-song-a195657.html