Boat blast prompts checks
SAFETY IN SPOTLIGHT AS KHLONG SAEN SAEP EXPLOSION INJURES 67
Transport officials have launched a sweeping check on the safety of Chao Phraya River commuter boats following an explosion on a Khlong Saen Saep ferry injured 67 passengers.
Police suspect yesterday morning’s blast, which knocked a number of passengers into the water, was caused by a gas leak.
Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck said he had ordered the Marine Department to carry out safety inspections on boat services, including Chao Phraya express boats and cross-river ferries. He said a report on the inspections would be given to him.
The department will spend two weeks examining the blast in detail and forward its findings to the Transport Ministry, he said.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had expressed concern over the injured passengers.
“He asked the officials involved to give urgent assistance to them,” Maj Gen Sansern said.
The prime minister also ordered state agencies responsible for public transport to step up measures to make sure all onboard equipment is in good condition, he added.
The explosion took place while the gaspowered boat, which was carrying about 80 passengers, was docking at Wat Thep Leela pier at 6.21am, causing a mad scramble of commuters to reach the pier.
Darun Saengchai, deputy permanent secretary for transport, said 67 passengers were hurt in the blast. Most of the injuries were minor and only 15 people remained in hospital last night.
Among the injured are one Japanese and one Lao national, according to Hua Mak Police Station.
Deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen said a preliminary investigation found the blast was not caused by a gas tank or boat engine problem.
It was believed that a substantial amount of gas had leaked from the pipeline connecting a gas tank and the engine. Heat from the engine then ignited the gas, Pol Gen Pongsapat said.
He said passengers told investigators that before the blast, the boat engine spluttered several times.
They said they felt cool air touch them and saw a considerable amount of smoke, he said.
Chavalit Metayaprapas, the owner of Family Transport Co which holds the concession for boat services on Khlong Saen Saep, said the boat was equipped with a dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel engine.
Of 70 vessels the company uses in Khlong Saen Saep, 25 are equipped with the dual-fuel engines. Mr Chavalit said he had ordered boat staff to suspend the use of LNG.
He said he will have the gas systems on the boats removed.
“Damage was caused to the boat’s engine compartment and roof, but the vessel did not sink,” Mr Chavalit said.
He said the gas systems were installed on the 25 boats about eight years ago when oil prices hit record highs and while the government was supporting the use of alternative energy.
He said the company will take responsibility for all damage, particularly medical expenses for the injured passengers, adding all of the company’s boats are covered by insurance.
According to Viriyah I nsurance, which provides insurance for passengers on Family Transport Co’s boats, the injured commuters will be paid up to 15,000 baht each for medical expenses. Anyone disabled in the incident will be paid 100,000 baht.
PTT Plc said yesterday it had sent experts to examine the explosion.
LNG is a natural gas cooled to a liquid state with a temperature of minus 160C, the company said.
When it leaks from a container, it evaporates quickly.
Energy Ministry spokesman Twarath Sutabutr said the boat’s gas tank was in a good condition and was unlikely to be the cause of the blast. Rather, it could have occurred because of worn fittings.
He said gas does not spread like burning flames since it evaporates quickly.
Marine Department deputy director Nat Chubchai said only the Khlong Saen Saep boats operated by Family Transport Co were equipped with the LNG-diesel engines.
Chao Phraya express boats and rivercrossing vessels are fitted with diesel engines only, he said.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration wants Family Transport Co to temporarily suspend its boat services.