The ferry trips are bobbing in the flood season.

On the boat with the number TH-0991 at Con Dinh ferry crossing Lach Truong river, there were life jackets and portable flotation devices, but neither the boatman nor the passengers used them (photo taken on July 28).

At Con Dinh ferry terminal on Lach Truong River, connecting Hoang Tien Commune and Van Loc Commune, not only tourists come to visit Hai Tien Tourist Area, but also many people and vehicles from neighboring communes come to buy seafood. Therefore, each time crossing the river, the ferry can carry dozens of people and vehicles. While the ferry terminal is located right at the estuary, it is greatly affected by weather and wind, so transporting passengers across the river by ferry in this area is extremely dangerous, especially during rainy and flood days.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy from Van Loc commune took her 5 children and grandchildren to Hai Tien tourist area to play. Each time they crossed the river by ferry, the 6 people had to pay the ferry owner 90 thousand dong. Although there were life jackets and portable flotation devices on the boat, neither the ferry owner nor the passengers used them. Ms. Thuy explained: It was hot, wearing a life jacket was very uncomfortable! Moreover, today the sea was favorable, the boat could reach the dock in a short time, so there was no danger, so why bother wearing a life jacket?

At the Ganh ferry station connecting the two banks of the Len River, which serves the travel needs of people in Van Loc and Nga Son communes, the situation is similar. The ferry station is rudimentary, has no waiting room, no rules signs... everything is temporary, existing for the travel needs of the people without accompanying safety measures.

It is known that the bridge and the Len River headworks have been basically completed and are expected to be put into trial operation in August 2025. If the irrigation dam bridge across the Len River is opened to traffic, the ferry will stop operating, making it less difficult and dangerous for people to travel. In the meantime, each ferry crossing the Len River will continue to quietly carry passengers without anyone wearing a life jacket.

Mr. Vu Van Van, the Ganh ferry driver, said: "We also remind passengers to wear life jackets, but some people listen, some don't. As for whether they wear them or not, no one can force them. Not only the Ganh ferry, but also the Sung ferry operating on the same route are provided with full life jackets and life buoys by the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee for the ferry owners to equip for passengers. However, life jackets and equipment serving passengers on the ferry have been left for a long time, causing odors and damage, so passengers are "afraid" to use them."

The Central and Northern provinces are in the peak of the rainy season. When the weather is unusual, traveling on ferries is very dangerous, the worst situations can happen. Ensuring the safety of ferries is not only the responsibility of local authorities or ferry owners, but also requires the awareness of compliance with regulations when participating in waterway traffic of each passenger.

To ensure passenger safety, authorities need to further strengthen inspections of operations at ferry terminals on waterways and coordinate with localities to promote propaganda and raise people's awareness of traffic safety. At the same time, resolutely handle vehicle owners who are not licensed to operate and do not ensure traffic safety conditions to prevent and minimize damage caused by subjectivity.

Article and photos: Minh Minh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chong-chanh-nhung-chuyen-do-ngang-mua-lu-257292.htm