Thank you for your mail.
We had sent out the correspondence on the Pathara Sahathai 2 on 04/05/13 and have just
sent you the correspondence on the Pathara Sahathai 2.
Since the vessels are both self propelled then we have to survey her as power driven
vessel so far as the navigation aspect is concerned. We also note that these vessels are
carrying containers and hence with the large number of container claims experienced
worldwide, we also have to look at the vessel from the stability as well as the cargo
securing point of view. We also not that the Life saving and fire-fighting appliances
are not to the minimum requirement as per the Thai regulations and also that there are
no lifejackets or liferaft/lifeboat onboard for the safety of the crew in the event of
any casualty.
Although we do note that there are a large number of defects noted during the survey by
our surveyor, we have deleted a lot of these as is reflected in the correspondence sent
out from this office after reviewing the full report.
Going forward we will be having a different survey format for the Thai barges which will
not be so detailed however if the vessels are power driven and carry containers etc,
then we will have to be a bit more stringent as opposed to the traditional dumb barges
carrying bulk cargo and the normal survey format will be followed.
Nevertheless, during my next visit to Bangkok, I also have planned to sit down with the
surveyor and discuss the Thai barges and their surveys with him so that we are all in
sync.
I have attached the two correspondences on these vessels for your ready reference and
comparison and look forward to hearing from you.