Reference
·Primary source
Marine Department Liveaboard Licensing Reform: Fleet Consolidation
35-50 credentialed vessels by 2027 (vs 80-110 grey-tier 2023)
The Marine Department, Royal Thai Navy and Department of Fisheries expanded the liveaboard licensing framework in Q1 2026 with vessel safety, captain certification, emergency oxygen, satellite tracking and minimum insurance cover requirements. The framework consolidates the operator base from about 80 to 110 grey-tier liveaboards in 2023 to a credentialed 35 to 50 vessels by 2027. Every credentialed vessel carries Marine Department-stamped annual safety certification and crewed-captain certification, with the Royal Thai Navy operating a monthly inspection regime in cooperation with DAN Thailand. DAN Thailand reported 8 dive fatalities in 2024 (5 Andaman, 3 Gulf) and 22 chamber treatments, an incidence rate below the ASEAN average that the licensing framework is designed to push down further. The consolidation also redistributes Similan and Surin slot allocation toward licensed operators.
Figure in context
The Marine Department, Royal Thai Navy and Department of Fisheries expanded the liveaboard licensing framework in Q1 2026 with vessel safety, captain certification, emergency oxygen, satellite tracking and minimum insurance cover requirements. The framework consolidates the operator base from about 80 to 110 grey-tier liveaboards in 2023 to a credentialed 35 to 50 vessels by 2027. Every credentialed vessel carries Marine Department-stamped annual safety certification and crewed-captain certification, with the Royal Thai Navy operating a monthly inspection regime in cooperation with DAN Thailand. DAN Thailand reported 8 dive fatalities in 2024 (5 Andaman, 3 Gulf) and 22 chamber treatments, an incidence rate below the ASEAN average that the licensing framework is designed to push down further. The consolidation also redistributes Similan and Surin slot allocation toward licensed operators.
The Marine Department, Royal Thai Navy and Department of Fisheries expanded the liveaboard licensing framework in Q1 2026 with vessel safety, captain certification, emergency oxygen, satellite tracking and minimum insurance cover requirements. The framework consolidates the operator base from about 80 to 110 grey-tier liveaboards in 2023 to a credentialed 35 to 50 vessels by 2027. Every credentialed vessel carries Marine Department-stamped annual safety certification and crewed-captain certification, with the Royal Thai Navy operating a monthly inspection regime in cooperation with DAN Thailand. DAN Thailand reported 8 dive fatalities in 2024 (5 Andaman, 3 Gulf) and 22 chamber treatments, an incidence rate below the ASEAN average that the licensing framework is designed to push down further. The consolidation also redistributes Similan and Surin slot allocation toward licensed operators.
Time scope
Effective Q1 2026
Source basis
Primary source
Interpretation notes
What this tells you
The Marine Department, Royal Thai Navy and Department of Fisheries expanded the liveaboard licensing framework in Q1 2026 with vessel safety, captain certification, emergency oxygen, satellite tracking and minimum insurance cover requirements. The framework consolidates the operator base from about 80 to 110 grey-tier liveaboards in 2023 to a credentialed 35 to 50 vessels by 2027. Every credentialed vessel carries Marine Department-stamped annual safety certification and crewed-captain certification, with the Royal Thai Navy operating a monthly inspection regime in cooperation with DAN Thailand. DAN Thailand reported 8 dive fatalities in 2024 (5 Andaman, 3 Gulf) and 22 chamber treatments, an incidence rate below the ASEAN average that the licensing framework is designed to push down further. The consolidation also redistributes Similan and Surin slot allocation toward licensed operators.
What not to do with it
Use the linked report for interpretation and keep basis differences explicit.
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