In an unusual situation on board, many people’s instinctive reaction is to: stand up – run out to see what happened – take out their phones to film. This is usually what you should not do. On a watercraft, chaotic movement can:
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Cause the vessel to lose balance.
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Block escape routes.
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Get in the crew’s way.
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Make other passengers panic.
In 2026, Quang Ninh stated that the entire tourist-boat fleet operating in the Bay must meet requirements for technical safety, lifesaving equipment, and fire prevention and firefighting, and be monitored by GPS, AIS, and communication systems.
No. 1: listen to the captain and crew
Do not make your own decisions to:
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Jump into the water.
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Run to a higher deck.
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Transfer to another boat.
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Open a door/technical compartment.
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Put on or remove equipment as you please.
Follow instructions. Quang Ninh authorities also continuously instruct visitors to wear life jackets and follow the rules when boarding and disembarking from boats and at sightseeing sites.
No. 2: wear a life jacket correctly when instructed
Do not simply drape it around your neck. Fasten all straps and buckles as instructed. A life jacket does not eliminate accidents, but it can provide an extremely important window of time for rescuers to reach you.
If you see someone fall into the water
Shout to alert the crew immediately. If there is a lifebuoy nearby and you know how to use it, follow the instructions. Do not jump in to rescue the person unless you are trained to do so and the situation requires it. An untrained rescuer can very easily become a second victim.
If a strong collision occurs
After a collision, if someone has:
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Hit their head.
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Lost consciousness.
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Neck/back pain.
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Numbness or weakness in the limbs.
do not pull them into a sitting position just to “see if they are okay.” The Red Cross recommends that anyone suspected of having a head, neck, or spinal injury be kept in their current position, unless they must be moved because of immediate danger, CPR, or the need to control life-threatening bleeding.
If there is a medical emergency
Alert the crew immediately so they can:
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Provide first aid.
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Contact the duty response team.
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Determine the nearest landing point.
Since April 2026, Quang Ninh’s health sector has arranged a 24/24 duty team on Ti Tốp Island, along with emergency equipment and a plan for connecting with medical facilities on shore. In an emergency, you can call 112.
5 things not to do
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Do not crowd the escape route.
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Do not jump into the sea on your own.
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Do not remove your life jacket before being permitted to do so.
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Do not run around the boat filming videos.
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Do not spread unverified information that could make passengers panic.
Pre-departure checklist
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Know where the life jackets are.
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Take note of the escape routes.
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Listen to the safety briefing.
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Wear shoes/footwear that allow easy movement.
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Keep personal medication somewhere easy to reach.
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Do not lock your passport and essential medication deep inside a suitcase where they are difficult to access.
