Tasks for Disaster Prevention for Watercraft

* Responsibilities for Disaster Prevention for Waterborne Vehicles are Specifically Stipulated as Follows:

* For the Captain and the Operator of the Vehicle

- When navigating on inland waterways, the captain and the operator of the vehicle must strictly adhere to the regulations on disaster prevention and control, rigorously execute communication policies, and strictly follow the directives of the Central Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control, the National Committee for Incident, Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, and the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of such ministries, central authorities, and local authorities. They must bring the vehicle to a safe anchorage or a shelter zone to avoid disasters.

In cases where there is insufficient time to move the vehicle out of the disaster-affected area, a reasonable disaster avoidance plan must be devised, and warnings must be issued and notified to the nearest agencies, units, and vehicles as quickly as possible to receive assistance and minimize negative impacts on people, vehicles, and goods;

- When anchoring while performing duties at ports and wharves:- Strictly comply with evacuation orders of the provincial Inland Waterways Port Authority, and the management and exploitation units of the ports and wharves to approved anchorage areas or anchoring measures, and participate in search and rescue operations as required by competent authorities;- Arrange personnel on duty on the vehicle as per regulations and prepare disaster prevention plans; ensure that the personnel and equipment on the vehicle are always in a state of readiness to be mobilized;- Devise anchoring plans suitable to the terrain and the geological conditions of the river, canal, trench, lake, lagoon, bay; strictly adhere to anchoring regulations under the impact of wind direction, current, and the density of vehicles in the area to ensure safety.

- Cargo-carrying vehicles must strictly comply with regulations on loading and storage of goods according to each type: bulk, bagged, cased, boxed, or preserved. Check the status of lashing, securing, and covering according to the type of goods and equipment on the vehicle, and take preparatory measures for disaster response before the disaster occurs;- For passenger-carrying vehicles: Strictly comply with the directives, orders for evacuation, and disembarkation of passengers ashore, do not receive passengers, and move the vehicle to a safe anchorage before the disaster occurs as directed by the management units, the agencies responsible for disaster prevention and waterway traffic, and the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of ministries, central authorities, and local authorities, and the management and exploitation units of inland waterway ports and wharves.- For ferry vessels carrying passengers across the river:- Strictly follow the directives of the Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue Command of ministries, central authorities, local authorities, and manage agencies and units for disaster prevention and waterway traffic. Arrange personnel and prepare disaster response plans when mobilized;- Inspect the anchoring system of the vehicle before the disaster occurs and take proactive measures to avoid disasters when receiving warning information, particularly in areas directly affected by floods and swift currents.

* Vessel Owners Must Adequately Prepare Reserve Fuel for Operation and Coordination During Flood and Storm Seasons.

These regulations are stipulated in Article 9 Circular 12/2018/TT-BGTVT which took effect on May 15, 2018.

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