The Ministry of Transport has urged the Vietnam Maritime Administration to check the operations of maritime pilots in Vung Tau's waters and give out stricter penalties on those violating maritime regulations.
There were 11 marine accidents in the first quarter, including four related to pilots' errors, said transport deputy minister Nguyen Hong Truong.
In particular, the collision between the local container ship Truong Hai Star and the Thai-flagged vessel Krairatch Dignity in Vung Tau last Monday highlighted concerns over maritime traffic safety as poor piloting was to blame for the accident.
The ministry has also suggested local maritime authorities keep a close eye on departures and arrivals of ships to ports as well as supervise the operations of pilots. The maritime agency must delay the departure of vessels if safety rules are not met. The Vung Tau Port Authority is considering salvaging the sunken Truong Hai Star by this weekend. Some 41 out of 66 containers remain on the ship, Le Van Chien, director of the port authority, told the Daily. |
