Preventing and controlling fires and explosions on boats during hot weather.
Numerous fishing boat fires have shown that the main cause is the failure of boat owners to comply with fire safety regulations.
Improving fire prevention and firefighting efforts at fishing ports.
Nearly a year ago, on the night of July 28, 2023, while anchored at Lach Quen fishing port in Quynh Thuan commune (Quynh Luu district), the fishing vessel NA-99699-TS, owned by Bui Xuan Xin from Quynh Long commune, suddenly caught fire. The vessel then drifted downstream, causing the fire to spread to four other vessels anchored nearby. After the fire, three out of five vessels were almost completely destroyed and beyond repair. The fire caused billions of dong in damages.
Following the incident where three fishing boats belonging to fishermen from Quynh Luu caught fire, since then, the work has been ongoing.fire protection and preventionIt has received special attention from ship owners, the government, and relevant authorities in the district.
We were on board the fishing boat of Captain To Huy Su in Quynh Nghia commune, witnessing the crew members busy refurbishing the operating equipment and ensuring fire safety. Mr. Su, the owner of the fishing boat, said that this iron-hulled vessel was purchased from fishermen in Nam Dinh province. After arriving at Lach Quen fishing port, the crew's immediate task is to repair and maintain the boat's engine to suit the specific fishing operations in the area.
“The fishing vessel was purchased more than two months ago, and we have dedicated all this time to upgrading the operating system and equipment to ensure optimal performance in seafood harvesting. Hundreds of high-voltage lighting bulbs on the ship have been thoroughly inspected for their power supply systems; the electrical wires connecting to the batteries are equipped with an automatic shut-off system in case of a malfunction. The ship is also equipped with several mini fire extinguishers and two large fire extinguishers to handle any unexpected incidents. The ship was purchased for 8 billion VND, which is a significant asset, so we prioritize fire safety above all else,” added Captain To Huy Su.
During peak season, hundreds of fishing boats from Quynh Luu enter the estuary to sell seafood and anchor for refueling. Some boat owners are from other areas, and their limited knowledge of fire prevention leads to complacency and negligence.
Mr. Phan Tien Chuong, Director of the Nghe An Fisheries Port Management Board, said that the unit manages four fishing ports: Lach Con Port (Hoang Mai town), Lach Quen (Quynh Luu district), Lach Van (Dien Chau district), and Cua Hoi (Cua Lo town). Quynh Luu district alone currently has 860 large and small fishing vessels. Nearly 600 vessels regularly dock at Lach Quen fishing port, belonging to fishermen from the communes of Quynh Thuan, Tien Thuy, Quynh Nghia, Son Hai, and Quynh Long.
Before setting sail, fishermen prepare between 3,000 and 15,000 liters of fuel per vessel, creating a high risk of fire. To ensure effective fire prevention and control, the Lach Quen fishing port has been equipped with 12 water hydrants and 2 storage tanks with a capacity of 370 cubic meters.3water, dozens of mini fire extinguishers, and four large fire extinguishers.
"To ensure effective fire prevention on ships and boats, the Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board has issued a document requesting coastal localities and relevant sectors, along with fishermen, to apply a comprehensive range of fire prevention and firefighting measures; focusing on guiding skills and methods for firefighting, evacuation, rescue of people and property in the event of fires, explosions, incidents, and accidents; organizing training, drills, and refresher courses to improve knowledge and professional skills in fire prevention, firefighting, rescue, and salvage for crew members and vessel operators."
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Mr. Phan Tien Chuong - Director of the Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board
There is still complacency and negligence.
Every year, Quynh Luu district and relevant authorities regularly organize inspection teams to check fire prevention and control work at fishing ports and on fishermen's boats. However, the updating of fire prevention knowledge is still limited, leading to complacency and negligence on the part of some fishing boat owners.
Recently, a delegation from Quynh Luu district, led by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, inspected fire prevention and fighting work in several coastal communes. The delegation inspected the private fishing port owned by Mr. Duong Ha Nam in An Hoa commune, where three fishing boats belonging to local fishermen were anchored but did not comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations.
Upon observing the ship, the delegation discovered that the electrical system was haphazardly installed and did not meet safety standards; the ship lacked fire safety equipment, posing a very high risk of fire and explosion.
Mr. Bui Xuan Truc, Deputy Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Quynh Luu District, said: “After inspecting fire prevention and fighting work at several fishing ports, including the private fishing port of Mr. Duong Ha Nam in An Hoa commune, we discovered that some fishing vessels were still being negligent and careless. The inspection team directly reminded the ship owners to promptly rectify the situation and comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations. We also requested the local authorities to focus on disseminating information to fishermen and regularly assign personnel to be on duty at the vessels to provide timely assistance in case of incidents.”
During the hot season, the risk of fire and explosions is ever-present on every vessel. The use of electrical systems, gas cylinders, and gas stoves is often inadequate. The limited space on board also contains a large amount of fishing gear, nets, and fuel in the hold. Furthermore, many vessels have been modified, and the electrical systems haven't been upgraded to meet requirements. Electrical wires connected to batteries often lack circuit breakers, easily leading to sparks. In some cases, boat owners even continue to burn incense in the cabin. This is a direct cause of several boat fires, resulting in billions of dong in damages in the district recently.
To ensure fire safety, each fishing vessel must be fully equipped with fire extinguishers; fire prevention plans, equipment, and personnel must be reviewed to ensure high feasibility according to the "four on-site" principle. Local authorities need to continue establishing rapid response teams to promptly deal with incidents at fishing ports.
