The iron ferry is damaged, Tam Hai people temporarily travel by boat

People move at Tam Hai ferry (Dong Tuan village) to get on wooden boats to cross the river. Photo: NQ

According to our records on the morning of November 8, at Tam Hai - Tam Quang ferry terminal, there were hundreds of people and tourists queuing up to wait their turn to get on a wooden boat owned by a local household to cross the river. Because the wooden boat was small and could accommodate about 5-7 people, people and tourists had to leave their motorbikes and cars at the two ends of the ferry terminal.

Wooden boats are a temporary means of transportation for islanders when the ferry has problems. Photo: NQ

At both ends of Tam Hai - Tam Quang ferry terminal, there are officers and soldiers from Ky Ha port border guard station coordinating with commune officials to be on duty regularly to remind people to wear life jackets before boarding, and boat owners to carry the correct number of people according to regulations.

Passengers wear life jackets when crossing the river by boat. Photo: PH

Ms. Pham Thi Hanh (Long Thanh Dong village, Tam Hai commune) said that for the past week, the ferry has had problems every 2-3 days. After being repaired, passenger and vehicle operations have returned to normal. However, this time, the ferry's engine was seriously damaged, making it difficult for her and the people on the island commune to travel.

“I take the ferry back and forth at 6am to go to work at the company in Chu Lai Open Economic Zone. Every time the ferry breaks down, I cross the river by wooden boat and take a bus or motorbike taxi to the company, which is both expensive and time-consuming. If I am late, I won’t have time to get my fingerprints taken when entering the company gate and my salary will be deducted,” Ms. Hanh worried.

Passengers waiting for the ferry at the Binh Trung village wharf (Tam Hai commune). Photo: NQ

According to many households in Tam Hai island commune, the iron ferry is the only means of transport for people in the island commune to go to work, see a doctor, do business... especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Therefore, they always hope that the authorities at all levels will soon invest in a new ferry to make travel convenient and safe.

Whenever the ferry breaks down, people in the commune have to take a detour from the ferry terminal in Binh Trung village to Xuan My village or take a small boat, which is both far and unsafe during the rainy season. The most worrying thing is that students and workers going to school or work are easily late, affecting their work and studies.

An officer from the Ky Ha Port Border Guard Station said the unit arranged for people to be on duty at both ends of the ferry terminal from early morning until the end of the ferry crossing time according to regulations.

"We observe and remind people to wear life jackets when crossing the river and do not allow people and vehicles to cross the river when the sea is rough or stormy to ensure the safety of people and vehicles."

The Tam Hai ferry waiting area has become an impromptu motorbike gathering place for passengers. Photo: PH

Ms. Ho Thi Thuong - Vice Chairman of Tam Hai Commune People's Committee said that the iron ferry had an engine problem, making it difficult for people to travel. In the past, the ferry had minor damage and was quickly repaired to meet the needs of moving people and vehicles. This time, the ferry's engine was broken, so it will take at least 3-4 days to repair.

“Currently, the commune government has coordinated with the Ky Ha Port Border Guard Station to arrange forces on duty at the ferry terminal to support and remind people to comply with safety when participating in traffic on the river.

On the morning of November 8, the commune government also made a proposal to the District People's Committee to arrange large vehicles to transport people and vehicles to and from the mainland and the island commune" - Ms. Thuong informed.

It is known that in 2024, the People's Committee of Nui Thanh district issued a Decision approving the investment project to build 2 new passenger ferries for Tam Hai island commune. The total investment cost for the 2 ferries is nearly 25 billion VND, with Tam Hai Commune People's Committee as the investor and implemented in 2024 - 2026.

“The two new ferries have been designed and are in the appraisal phase. After completing the paperwork, the Commune People's Committee will submit the documents to the Provincial Department of Transport for review and approval,” said Ms. Thuong.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/pha-sat-hu-hong-nguoi-dan-tam-hai-tam-thoi-di-chuyen-bang-ghe-3143943.html