Phuket launches marine safety training for tour boat personnel

Phuket has launched a marine safety training programme for tour boat personnel under its “Phuket Safety Destination” project, with the opening session held on May 24 at the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort.

The workshop was officially opened by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam. Officials said the project is intended to strengthen marine tourism safety and build confidence among visitors travelling to the island.

Phuket Provincial Tourism and Sports Office Director Somchai Semmanee said statistics showed a rising number of water-related accidents involving tourists in Phuket, raising concern about possible damage to the province’s tourism image.

He said Phuket received funding for the project from the central government’s emergency reserve budget under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

According to Somchai, the project is designed to give tourism personnel in both the public and private sectors practical life-saving skills and emergency response knowledge so they can assist victims quickly and effectively during marine accidents.

The programme has two parts. The first course is for tour boat personnel, including operators, captains, crew members and tour guides. It is being conducted over three one-day sessions from May 24 to May 26, with 50 participants in each session at the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort.

A second course will be held for lifeguards and personnel assisting tourists. That programme is scheduled to run in six three-day sessions from June 5 to June 28 at Sirinat National Park in Thalang, with 30 participants in each session.

Suwit said Phuket’s position as a leading marine tourism destination made tourist safety an urgent priority. He said participants completing the training would help strengthen confidence in Phuket tourism while learning first aid skills, including the proper use of automated external defibrillators and other life-saving equipment.

He added that the training is expected to help reduce fatalities and improve emergency handling before victims can be transferred for medical treatment.

Instructors at the workshop included specialists from the Phuket Regional Marine Office, Marine Police Station 3 under Division 8 of the Marine Police Command, and the Life Saving School of Thailand.

Officials said the cooperation was aimed at improving Phuket’s tourism safety standards, supporting the island’s tourism image, encouraging repeat visits and contributing to long-term tourism revenue growth.