MODELS FOR MARINE TOURISM SAFETY WITH LIVEABOARD DIVING VESSEL SAFETY STANDARDS

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the components of marine tourism safety management for liveaboard diving vessels. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The research utilized a purposive sampling of seven key informants, each possessing a minimum of five years of professional experience. This group comprised two liveaboard operators, two dive business entrepreneurs,
one diving instructor, one recreational diver, and one representative from the public sector. The study was conducted over a 15-day period across the provinces of Chonburi, Surat Thani, and Phuket. The research tool was a semi-structured interview guide focusing on the components and indicators of marine tourism safety management for liveaboard diving vessels. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results revealed that the components of marine tourism safety management for liveaboard diving vessels consist of four main themes: 1) Marine safety standards and regulations, which serve as the regulatory framework governing marine tourism safety operations; 2) The competency of personnel and crew members, which functions as a key mechanism for implementing safety practices; 3) Safety management by operators, which represents an essential process for risk control and accident prevention in marine tourism; and 4) Marine tourism safety outcomes, which represent the results of implementing standards, personnel competency, and safety management practices. These four components exhibit a systemic correlation, wherein standards and laws provide the governance framework, personnel competency drives implementation, safety management facilitates risk control, and safety performance constitutes the objective result. Such a comprehensive framework is instrumental for the formulation of maritime tourism safety policies.