Phuket tour boat owner, crew, face oil slick charges

The owner and crew of a tourist cruise boat that flushed oil into the sea in Ton Sai Bay, Phi Phi, on Thursday (April 3) are to face charges of illegal pollution..

Lt Col Anurak Parinyasathirakul of Krabi Marine police, led officials from the Krabi Marine Office and the Nopparatthara National Park to investigate the oil pollution after a photo was posted on Facebook that showed the Sea Angel Cruise 5 apparently surrounded by a slick.

They questioned the captain of the boat, Karin Onnkaew, and mechanic Kreangdet Ponsakdidet.

The two told them that on Thursday the boat took tourists for a trip in the waters off Phi Phi and at 3 pm, while the tourists swam, they worked on electrical wiring and checked the engine.

“We tested all the equipment on the boat and [while we were doing this we spilled] oil on the floor. The automatic bilge pump came on and pumped the left-over oil into the sea,” they told officers.

Officials examined the boat’s operation documents and owner’s permit and confirmed that all paperwork was correct and up to date.

Officials will also talk with the boat’s owner, Nikorn Tormaitri. He and those involved in causing the spill will face charges of oil pollution under the Marine Act and the National Park Act.

When officials arrived at Ton Sai Bay Oil they could see no traces of oil but they will check all beaches and the surrounding area to see whether there is pollution that needs cleaning up.

Phuket News

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