A seminar entitled “Using Solar Power and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to Ensure the Safety of Da Nang’s Fishermen and Promote the Development of Local Fisheries” took place in the city on Tuesday.  The event was jointly organised by the city’s Department of Science and Technology, the Viet Nam-Finland Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP), and the city’s Hoang Dao Energy Company.

The seminar focused on evaluating the operation of solar-powered lighting systems which were installed on a trial basis on 2 local offshore fishing vessels in June 2012. 

The installation of the solar-powered systems has helped local fishermen to save costs on their offshore fishing trips and ensure their safety at sea in case of broken generators or engine failure.  In addition, the systems can usefully assist the vessels in maintaining communications between them and other ships, and also with the mainland.  Following the success of this trial implementation, the local vessels will have their oil-burning lighting systems replaced by solar-powered LEDs.

Once installed in all of the city’s offshore fishing vessels, the solar-powered lighting systems will play a vital role in ensuring the safety of local fishermen, as well as promoting the development of the local fishing industry.