Ten tourists had to be rescued after their Koh Larn speedboat began taking on water.
Rescue officials were notified July 10 that the Chok Charlee 2 was in distress about a nautical mile off Bali Hai Pier. They arrived to find other speedboats picking up the panicked passengers.
Passenger Somorn Sriprasert, 42 of Saraburi, said water began pouring into the back of the boat after leaving Bali Hai. Everyone managed to make it to nearby speedboats and no one was hurt.
The Chok Charlee 2 is brought ashore after nearly sinking about a nautical mile off Bali Hai Pier.
An inspection discovered a large hole in the stern of the boat that went undetected before the boat’s captain, Worawong Ngamkaew, 22, left port.
Authorities urged all speedboat operators to check their vessels thoroughly before every trip.
