HCMC’s Hydrofoils are set to resume service to Vung Tau by the end of the month following a year-long ban.
The popular boat service was plagued by a number of accidents over the past few years, culminating in an incident where a boat caught fire shortly after leaving HCMC’s Bach Dang Wharf. After failed attempts to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, the vessel was hastily evacuated and passengers were forced to wade through muddy waters to reach shore.
After the accident, a review of the hydrofoil fleet revealed serious safety problems and the HCMC Department of Transport suspended service of the Soviet-era boats on January 21.
In order for the fleet to resume services, all boats must be refurbished and brought up to current safety requirements, according to Thanh Nien.
In addition, high-speed boats must be no older than 20 years, the wooden variety no older than 25 years, and tourist boats with restaurants or overnight accommodation must be no older than 35 years.
It looks like those sneaky weekends in Vung Tau just got a bit easier.
[Photo via archer10]
