'I'm used to it, wearing a life jacket is too cumbersome': Nghe An people ignore the danger, take a boat without a life jacket during flood season

Clip: Van Truong

This situation is raising major concerns about waterway traffic safety, requiring more drastic intervention from authorities and people's awareness of self-protection.

school 2 — Passenger ferries at Cung ferry terminal – the connecting point of the Lam River between Cat Ngan and Thuan Trung communes. Photo: Van Truong

At Cung ferry - the place connecting the two banks of Lam River between Cat Ngan and Thuan Trung communes, when the river water rose, the current was muddy and strong, many passengers still calmly boarded the boat without wearing life jackets. Although the boat was fully equipped with life jackets, in reality most boat passengers ignored the use of this life-saving equipment.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tinh (Cat Ngan commune), a resident who often takes the boat, said: "We are used to it. Wearing life jackets is both time-consuming and cumbersome, so we give up."

school 1 — The ferry trip on Lam River is full of dangers, especially during the rainy season. Photo: Van Truong

Mr. Tinh's story is not unique. According to the ferry owner at Cung ferry, the ferry serves 70-80 trips per day, due to the high demand for travel from the two communes, especially when the Cung ferry bridge cannot be opened to traffic due to the construction of the approach roads at both ends of the bridge. "We also remind passengers to wear life jackets, but that's all we can do. Some people listen, some don't. As for whether they wear them or not, no one can force them," said the ferry owner.

The physical conditions at the ferry terminals are also worrying. At Cung ferry terminal, the ferry deck has no railings or handrails, making it easy for people and vehicles to slip into the water if there are big waves. The boarding and disembarking points are only lined with simple wooden planks, and every time the ferry docks, the planks sway with the waves, making it difficult to maintain balance, especially for motorcyclists.

myuii school — Most passengers did not wear life jackets when crossing the river at Cung ferry. Photo: Van Truong

According to records, both sides of the wharf have not been properly invested in and built, there are no regulations, and no public ticket prices. All are temporary in nature, existing for the travel needs of the people without accompanying appropriate safety measures.

Mr. Tran Xuan Ha - Chairman of Cat Ngan Commune People's Committee said: We have directed the functional forces to regularly inspect and remind at Cung ferry. However, some people are still subjective. When there is an inspection, they wear life jackets, if not, they leave them. The commune's wish is that Cung ferry bridge will soon be put into use to eliminate this ferry.

m68 field — People wait for the ferry at Cung ferry terminal, which connects Cat Ngan and Thuan Trung communes across Lam River. Photo: Van Truong.

The unsafe situation does not only exist at Cung ferry. At Nguoc ferry, which connects the two banks of Lam River, serving the travel needs of people in Xuan Lam and Hoa Quan communes, the situation is similar. This ferry has been poorly invested, the waiting room is dilapidated, the walls are crooked. The rules sign has rusted, even hidden by bushes, making it impossible for anyone to read. Meanwhile, each ferry crossing Lam River continues to quietly carry passengers, with few people wearing life jackets.

In Nghe An province, there are currently 7 ferry piers operating regularly, including: Van Ru wharf (Thien Nhan commune), Phuong and Ru Nguoc wharf (Xuan Lam commune), Cung wharf (Cat Ngan commune), Tao Son wharf (Yen Xuan commune), Linh Son wharf (Anh Son Dong commune), Con Phoi and Thai Son wharf (Nghia Hanh commune). In addition, on the Hua Na hydroelectric reservoir (Thong Thu commune), there are also 2 licensed ferry piers operating to serve the people.

school 3 — Do Cung Bridge is under construction at both ends so traffic is not allowed yet, people still have to travel by boat across the river. Photo: Van Truong

However, not all ferry terminals are properly invested and meet all safety standards. The lack of infrastructure, combined with people’s subjective habits, is making these ferry trips a big concern every time the rainy season comes.

In the context that many localities still do not have bridges across rivers, ferries are still an irreplaceable means of transportation. However, the government and relevant agencies cannot stand aside in the face of the looming risks to waterway safety.

valve field — At Ru Nguoc ferry terminal (Xuan Lam commune), many passengers crossing the river did not wear life jackets. Photo: Van Truong

In the coming time, relevant agencies need to strengthen propaganda work, raise awareness among people about the mandatory wearing of life jackets when crossing the river. At the same time, it is necessary to step up inspections, remind boat owners to add life-saving equipment, improve wharf facilities and strictly handle violations.

valve m456 — Ru Nguoc ferry terminal (Xuan Lam commune) is poorly invested, lacking conditions to ensure safety for people crossing the river. Photo: Van Truong

rain field — Timely measures are needed to ensure the safety of ferry trips and avoid unfortunate accidents that may occur. Photo: Van Truong

Ensuring the safety of ferry trips is not only the responsibility of local authorities or ferry owners, but also the responsibility of each citizen. Because just one moment of carelessness, one moment of subjectivity, the consequences can be irreparable.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/di-quen-roi-mac-ao-phao-vuong-lam-nguoi-dan-nghe-an-phot-lo-nguy-hiem-di-do-khong-ao-phao-mua-lu-10302051.html