Fire and explosion prevention on boats in hot weather
Through many fishing boat fires, it is shown that the main cause is the failure to comply with fire prevention and fighting safety regulations by boat and ship owners.
Improving fire prevention and fighting at fishing ports
Nearly a year ago, on the night of July 28, 2023, while anchored at Lach Quen fishing port, Quynh Thuan commune (Quynh Luu), fishing boat NA-99699-TS owned by owner Bui Xuan Xin in Quynh Long commune suddenly caught fire. After that, the fishing boat drifted with the current, causing the fire to spread to 4 other boats anchored nearby. After the fire, 3/5 of the boats were almost completely damaged and could not be repaired. The fishing boat fire caused billions of dong in damage.
After the incident of 3 fishing boats of Quynh Luu fishermen burning, since then, the workfire protection and preventionreceived special attention from ship owners, authorities and functional forces in the district.
We were on the fishing boat of Captain To Huy Su in Quynh Nghia commune, witnessing the crew members focusing on refurbishing the operating equipment as well as ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety. Mr. Su - the fishing boat owner said that this iron-hulled boat was bought from fishermen in Nam Dinh province. After returning to Lach Quen fishing port, the immediate task of the crew members is to repair and maintain the boat's engine to suit the specific characteristics of local fishing activities.
“The fishing boat has been purchased for more than 2 months now, and we have spent all this time upgrading the operating system as well as equipment to ensure the best exploitation of seafood. Hundreds of high-voltage lighting bulbs on the boat have been carefully checked for the power supply system; the electrical wires connected to the batteries are equipped with an automatic cut-off system in case of an incident. The boat is also equipped with many mini fire extinguishers and 2 large fire extinguishers to handle unusual incidents. The boat was purchased for 8 billion VND, this is a large asset, so we put fire prevention first,” added Captain To Huy Su.
During peak season, hundreds of fishing boats of Quynh Luu fishermen enter the estuary to sell seafood and anchor to refuel. Some boat owners come from other places, and their limited knowledge of fire prevention leads to subjectivity and negligence.
Mr. Phan Tien Chuong - Director of Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board said that the unit manages 4 fishing ports including: Lach Con Port (Hoang Mai town), Lach Quen (Quynh Luu), Lach Van (Dien Chau), Cua Hoi (Cua Lo town). Quynh Luu district alone currently has 860 large and small boats. The number of boats regularly docking at Lach Quen fishing port is nearly 600 boats owned by fishermen from the communes of Quynh Thuan, Tien Thuy, Quynh Nghia, Son Hai, Quynh Long.
Every time they prepare to go out to sea, fishermen prepare the amount of oil on each ship from 3,000 to 15,000 liters, so the risk of fire is very high. To ensure fire prevention and fighting, Lach Quen fishing port has invested in equipment including 12 water nozzles, 2 tanks with a volume of 370m3water, dozens of mini fire extinguishers and 4 large fire extinguishers.
“To ensure good fire prevention for boats, Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board has issued a document requesting coastal localities and related sectors and fishermen to synchronously apply many fire prevention and fighting measures; focus on instructing skills, fire fighting measures, escape, rescue of people and property when fires, explosions, incidents and accidents occur; organize training, drills, and improve knowledge and professional skills in fire prevention, fire fighting, rescue and salvage for crew members and boat drivers”.
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Mr. Phan Tien Chuong - Director of Nghe An Fishing Port Management Board
Still subjective, negligent
Every year, Quynh Luu district and the authorities regularly organize inspection teams to inspect fire prevention and fighting at fishing ports and on fishermen’s boats. However, updating knowledge on fire prevention is still limited, leading to subjectivity and negligence of some fishing boat owners.
Recently, a working delegation of Quynh Luu district led by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh - Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee inspected fire prevention and fighting work in some coastal communes. The delegation inspected at the private fishing port of Mr. Duong Ha Nam in An Hoa commune, where 3 fishing boats of local fishermen were anchored but did not comply with fire prevention and fighting regulations.
Observing the ship, the delegation discovered that the electrical system was arbitrarily installed and unsafe; the ship lacked fire prevention and fighting equipment, posing a very high risk of fire and explosion.
Mr. Bui Xuan Truc - Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quynh Luu district said: "After inspecting fire prevention and fighting work at a number of fishing ports, including the private fishing port of Mr. Duong Ha Nam in An Hoa commune, it was discovered that some fishing boats were still subjective and negligent. The delegation directly reminded the boat owners to promptly correct their mistakes and comply with regulations on fire prevention and fighting, and also requested local authorities to focus on propaganda to fishermen, regularly assign people to be on duty at the boat to promptly respond when an incident occurs."
During the hot season, the risk of fire and explosion is always present on every ship. The use of electrical systems, gas tanks, and gas stoves has many shortcomings. In the small space on the ship, there is also a large amount of fishing gear, nets, and gasoline and oil in the ship's hold. On the other hand, many ships have been converted, and the upgrade of the electrical system has not met the requirements. The electrical wires connected to the batteries do not have a disconnection device, which can easily cause sparks. In particular, there are cases where the ship owner still burns incense in the cabin. This is also the direct cause of a number of ship fires, causing billions of dong in damage that have occurred in the district recently.
To ensure fire prevention and fighting safety, each fishing vessel must be fully equipped with foam extinguishers; review fire prevention plans, equipment, and personnel to ensure high feasibility according to the "4 on-site" motto. Localities need to continue to establish shock teams to promptly respond to incidents at fishing ports./.
