Lookout towers to be built at beaches - are they guestfriendly

[gregor200]

Lookout towers to be built at beaches
what can we do there, while we wait for the next tsunami ? Are they guestfriendly ?




PHUKET CITY: The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) intends to build 12 permanent watchtowers, where observers can watch for signs of future tsunamis, and also monitor the safety of tourists.

Some of the towers will replace existing lifeguard stations; others will be completely new.

OrBorJor Vice-President Sutin Lean-Udom said there would eventually be three towers around Kata and Karon; three in Patong and Kalim; two at Surin Beach; and one each at Nai Harn, Kamala, Laem Singh and Bang Tao Beaches.

K. Sutin said he calculated that each tower would cost no more than 250,000 baht to build, and that the Bangkok Phuket Hospital had offered to pay for the construction of 10 of the 12.

He continued, “There were wooden towers used as lifeguard stations at Nai Harn, Patong, Karon and Surin Beach, but they were damaged by the tsunami.

“The new towers wouldn’t be used only to warn of tsunamis, though. The people in them could also watch out for sinking boats, tourists in difficulty in the water, or other things happening at sea.”

The plans have already been drawn up, and K. Sutin said he expected construction to begin within two months, with the towers being ready for use by September.

Parinya Siamhan, an OrBorJor member with responsibility for public safety, said, “The OrBorJor trained 60 beach guards in August 2004.

“Once these towers are completed, there could be two people based in each tower and a third on standy-by on the beach.

“We also intend to have six vehicles monitoring the beach areas as well.”

[river]

Surely there are better ways to monitor this you would think so with modern day equipment I don't see a repeat situation occuring well at least I hope not.

Building towers would surely have an impact on tourism it's like admitting you're in a Tsunami zone.

It reminds me of Jaws when they built the shark towers, all it's going to do IMHO is remind everyone.

Sure step up the monitoring and have warning systems at the ready but not in public view, out of site out of mind is best I think.

[littlenose]

After seeing some of the things that prowl on the beach at night I would have thought any form of refuge would be welcome.

[stevem]

They are also meant to be used as lookout towers for the beach life guards. If they help save the life of a swimmer in difficult, then they are guest friendly.

[Werwolf]

It is also my opinion, that the towers are more for the lifeguard and the “optical” guaranty.
If really a wave hit Patong again, the lifeguard can see the wave perhaps 5 minute before it reach the beach.
That is not much time to take precautions.
And in the night this towers have no sense.

[Tyfon]

Originally Posted by Werwolf

It is also my opinion, that the towers are more for the lifeguard and the “optical” guaranty.
If really a wave hit Patong again, the lifeguard can see the wave perhaps 5 minute before it reach the beach.
That is not much time to take precautions.

The twenty or thirty seconds the manager of the Savoey bought us by running in to tell us of the "big wave coming" got us out and away from the plate glass and up to the roof in good time.

It will depend on the quality of the observer and their training - the ability to recognise the drawing back of the waters some twenty minutes before the wave and a well defined and regularly practiced alarm drill would do a lot to help, especially for those seafront below-ground establishements were most of the Patong casualties occurred.

And finally, proper lifeguard stations with regulation of the hawkers, litterers and watersports will do a lot to make the beach more attractive to families.

Just some thoughts...

Cheers,

K.