Thanh Chuong: Many ferry terminals do not ensure safety

(Baonghean.vn) - Currently, in Thanh Chuong district, there are 4 ferry terminals in operation, but most of the facilities are degraded, posing potential traffic safety risks.

Cung ferry connects Cat Van commune (Thanh Chuong) with Trung Son commune (Do Luong). Previously, there were nearly 100 people passing through each day, but now the number of passengers has decreased sharply.

The road up and down the wharf is very steep, makeshift, without railings; the old and dilapidated ferry at Ru Nguoc wharf in Ngoc Son commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Dinh Ha

Although it is a large ferry terminal, the infrastructure of this ferry terminal is very rudimentary, there is no waiting room, no rules, the newly built entrance and exit have collapsed and are in disrepair. Passengers still have to walk on makeshift wooden planks to get on and off the ferry... In addition, the life jackets for direct protection are not of much concern to both the ferry owner and the passengers.

Passengers crossing the ferry without wearing life jackets at Cung ferry terminal, Cat Van commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Dinh Ha

Mr. Dang Dinh Hang - one of the owners of Do Cung ferry said: "Although the ferry always has life jackets and requires passengers to wear them, most of them don't use them, we don't know what to do."

In Cat Van commune, there is also Do Gia ferry connecting to Da Son commune. This ferry is small in scale, has fewer passengers, but the safety conditions are also alarming.

At the Ru Nguoc ferry station connecting Thanh Chi and Ngoc Son communes, despite being warned and handled many times, the ferry still has no protective railings and is very slippery and dangerous. The entrances and exits have been paved with concrete but the road surface is uneven. The "Safe Ferry Station" sign and the regulations are rusted, damaged and covered by dust. The situation of passengers crossing the ferry without wearing life jackets is also common.

The "Safe Ferry" regulation sign at Ben Ru Nguoc has rusted and is hidden by the bushes. Photo: Dinh Ha

Mr. Ngu Van Nghia, owner of Ru Nguoc ferry, shared that currently there are very few passengers, serving mainly the people of Truong Nien, Ky Chu, and Ngoc Tinh hamlets. Due to few passengers and low income, the ferry company does not have the conditions to invest in upgrading the ferry and dock.

Traffic police have inspected and fined many ferry terminals for not complying with traffic laws. Photo: Dinh Ha

To ensure the safety of people and vehicles, especially before the upcoming storm season, according to Mr. Le Dinh Thanh - Vice Chairman of Thanh Chuong District People's Committee, the district will direct functional departments and communes to strengthen propaganda and management work. Accordingly, a general inspection will be conducted, any wharf or boat that does not meet the requirements will be stopped from operating, and wharfs are not allowed to transport passengers when there are storms and floods of level 2 or higher. In particular, boat owners must refuse to serve passengers who do not comply with the request to wear life jackets./.

Ha Temple