Amid hot weather conditions, there is a need to strengthen the prevention of fire and explosions in the Da Nang-based Tho Quang Fishing Wharf where a large number of fishing vessels and oil tankers are docking at in a bid to keep fishermen and their property in safe and free from fire and explosive hazards.

Police officers from the Da Nang Riverside Fire and Rescue Division conducting a fire drill on boat for fishermen. Photo: Ngoc Quoc

High Risk for Fire and Explosion during summer months

Mr. Pham Trung Thanh, the Deputy Head of the Authority of the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf said that there are 300 to 350 vessels anchoring regularly in this port. This venue is now home to 10 ice production faclities, 4 petrol stations, 26 offshore supply vessels, and 11 shipyards. Therefore, it can face higher potential for fire and explosion incidents amid hot weather conditions. There are many causes of fires and explosions in this venue. Among principal ones are low awareness about the prevention of fire and explosive hazards among fishermen and local residents. Furthermore, some ship owners and crew members do not know how to use fire fighting equipment, and they feel confused about how to respond to incidents. Besides, some people ignore safety precautions when burning incense sticks on full moon days, the first day of each lunar month, and they are not careful when using electricity, cooking gas cylinders, and more.

Amid high temperatures, the Authority of the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf has strengthened warnings about fire and explosive hazards in the venue, and imposed a  ban on burning votive paper offerings near fishing boats. In addition, fishermen have been urged to handle burning incense stick on their boats with care on full moon days and the first day of each lunar month. Moreover, the Authority of the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf has used loudspeakers and pasted leaflets on fishing boats in an attempt to raise awareness about fire safety among boat owners and crew members.

Mr Trung remarked that a Steering Board for Fire Prevention and Fighting with 44 members in total has been established to respond to fire incidents.

High priority given to raising public awareness of fire safety

Captain Do Quoc Luong, the Deputy Head of the Da Nang Riverside Fire and Rescue Division under the municipal Fire and Rescue Police Department said that since 2017, 6 fishing vessel fires have occurred in the city that resulted in serious damage to property of boat owners and crew members. A majority of these incidents happend at the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf.

The venue serves as an anchorage and a storm shelter for fishing vessels while 500 to 600 vessels are allowed to anchor here. However, in fact, the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf are always overloaded with fishing vessels that find a safe shelter during storms and bad weather, posing serious fire safety threats to this venue. Wooden boats regularly arrive in this port and each one carries a large amount of diesel and 12kg gas cylinders, and fishing equipment. As a result, these boats could face a higher risk of fire and explosion. In addition, a high density of vessels at anchor creates good conditions for fast-spreading fires.

In particular, boat owners and crew members pay a little attention to fire precautions while suitable firefighting equipment are not available onboard or their boats are very poorly equipped with such equipment.

In its efforts to ensure fire safety in the Tho Quang Fishing Wharf, the Da Nang Riverside Fire and Rescue Division will focus on launching campaigns to raise awareness of fire and explosive hazards among boat owners and crew members through using loudspeakers and distributing leaflets to them. The heed will be paid to encouraging boat owners and crew members to sign the commitment to ensure fire safety as well as open training courses on fire prevention and fighting for captains and crewmen of fishing vessels.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC – Translating by H.L