Rear Adm Amornchote Sujirat said there is a lack of firefighting boats in the three areas even though these provinces welcome hundreds of marine vessels annually, reports the Bangkok Post.
Blazes aboard vessels are common, especially while docked, and they often result in boats sinking because fires cannot be extinguished in time, he said.
R/Adm Amornchote suggested that the government procure high-pressure fireboats, particularly speedboats, to handle emergencies more effectively.
He also emphasised the critical role of fire prevention measures on board vessels, including trained crew and proper equipment, in managing fires quickly.
R/Adm Amornchote’s comments follow a fire on the Flamingo Lady 2 catamaran last Thursday (Oct 3) due to an engine malfunction that caused an explosion, which resulted in the vessel sinking off Phuket.
While no lives were lost in the incident, he urged local authorities to address the lack of firefighting vessels to improve safety at busy ports.
The catamaran’s captain, Charoon Rungsamut, 31, sustained minor injuries. He was sent to Thalang Hospital for treatment.
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incident.
Ms Manaporn also said strict safety measures must be enforced on all passenger boats, and operators must follow all legal safety requirements to prevent accidents.