Warning about fire and explosion risks onboard fishing vessels
In recent years, fire and explosion risks onboard fishing ships have become complicated. Many fishermen in Da Nang have spent billions of VND on building their modern large capacity offshore fishing boats, and upgrading their existing ones. However, measures to prevent fire and explosion cases onboard are still overlooked, and above all, ship owners have yet to pay enough attention to this issue.
A fishing boat catching fire while being anchored on the Han River. |
Recently, fishing vessel DNA 90081 owned by Mr Dang Phi residing in Hoa Cuong Nam Ward, Hai Chau District, suddenly caught fire while being anchored on the Han River.
After receiving a report about the incident, the municipal Police Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue immediately sent 10 fire engines and specialised speedboats to the scene to put out the blaze.
In an attempt to avoid spreading fire to other vessels operating nearby, the distressed ship, in a prompt fashion, was towed to a certain location near a wharf of ‘love locks’ on the eastern bank of the river for fire extinguishing.
Colonel Le Hong Tu, the Deputy Head of the municipal Police Department of Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue, raised his concern over recent fire and explosion incidents which were triggered by power system failures, and other related causes.
In reality, the areas most likely to be susceptible to fire hazards include the engine room, galley, accommodation spaces, storerooms, and wheelhouse.
There are potential fire hazards resulted from oily rags, grease on electrical equipment, cookers and hot surfaces, drying clothes over heaters, stoves, and smoking in bunks.
Besides, after their profitable fishing trips, it is common to see fishermen burn incense and votive papers as an act of paying their gratitude to the god of the sea. Actually, this action may pose fire threat to their vessels.
In proactive response to fire and explosion risks, in addition to asking fishermen to have their vessels equipped with fire fighting devices onboard, functional bodies have promoted publicity activities on a bid to raise awareness of fire and explosion prevention and fighting amongst fishermen.
The risk of fire can be dramatically reduced by keeping a good maintenance regime, and implementing good working practices.
Special heed should be paid to protecting electrical equipment, correctly storing hazardous substances, ensuring that extinguishers are correctly placed and maintained, not smoking in bunks and cabins, maintaining galley and galley equipment, including a good cooking regime, and ensuring on board cleanliness and tidiness.