Dive boat capsized near Phi Phi

[stevenl]

but its just crazy how 60 people can dive off a boat rigged only for 16.

Yes, that's one boat I would not like to be on (and won't be on).

 

[MoonWrasse]

They've updated the story now. It wasn't the Kingfisher, but the Dream Catcher, and it was supposedly rated for 60 pax, not 15, as prior reported. Seems like a tax dodge was the game.
http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=5943
"The 17.4-meter vessel was not overcrowded and a vessel of that size would normally be rated for about 60 passengers, he said.

However, documents held by the boat’s current owner, Suriyan Sroyson, list it with an operational passenger capacity of only 11 passengers, possibly for tax or business purposes, K. Suriya said."

I don't know if this was the boat, but if it was it doesn't look like 60 pax should've been on there IMO.
http://www.fishingphuket.com/boat.htm

 

[stevenl]

The 17.4-meter vessel was not overcrowded and a vessel of that size would normally be rated for about 60 passengers,

I know plenty of vessels in the 20-23 meter range, and they would be rated for maximum 40 people, which is already a lot. But a 17.4 meter vessel rated for 60 people: nonsense.

 

[Batfish]

Lot's of stories around - I believe the boat in question was the old Kingfisher liveaboard, not owned by Kingfisher any more (do they even still exist?), being used as a snorkel boat in Phi Phi. When it was a liveaboard it used to carry only 11 or 12 guests. I have been on the boat years ago and can't believe you'd want to try and fit 60 people onboard.

 

[stevenl]

do they even still exist?

Haven't heard from them in a long time. Just checked their website, which is a bit outdated: they even still have the Kingfisher on it as their liveaboard boat.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Out of curiosity, what's the Thai policy on boat names?

Since the reported name of the ill-fated boat has not been clear, reported at times the Kingfisher or Dream Catcher, which is a smaller fishing vessel, is it possible there was another boat of the same name operating in Thai waters?

 

[stevenl]

Since the reported name of the ill-fated boat has not been clear, reported at times the Kingfisher or Dream Catcher, which is a smaller fishing vessel,

The boat name was changed when it was sold from King Fisher to Dream Catcher. So same boat, just different names.

And it brings bad luck to change a boat's name, which has been proven again here.

 

[MoonWrasse]

The boat name was changed when it was sold from King Fisher to Dream Catcher. So same boat, just different names.

And it brings bad luck to change a boat's name, which has been proven again here.

Interesting. The photo of the Kingfisher doesn't resemble the one of the fishing angler named Dream Catcher. So either there were 2 Dream Catchers, or the fishing angler one had disappeared prior to the renaming of the Kingfisher to the Dream Catcher.

Kingfisher: http://kingfisherdiving.com/ourboatshop.htm
Dream catcher: http://www.fishingphuket.com/boat.htm

It makes one wonder.

 

[tc]

Duplicate names are fairly common, there are 2 "Great Escape" commercial boats in Socal.

 

[stevenl]

It is not the fishing boat Dream Catcher, so it must be another boat with the same name.

The sunken boat was based on Phi Phi and was doing snorkeling trips.