Tighter fire regulations on board fishing vessels are due to come into force next month in response to a massive fire that destroyed five boats last April.
Wong Man Tou, director of maritime activities at the Macau Maritime and Water Authority (DSAMA), said the department had tightened control rules for fishing vessels in the inner harbor.
After a gas cylinder exploded on one boat on April 25, a fire broke out in the inner harbor, causing six large explosions. sank 5 fishing boats.
Wong said all fishing vessel owners will be asked to provide their vessel licenses, contact details, berth dates, and the amount of diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) on board to the bureau when the new management rules come into effect next month. I pointed out that I needed to be notified prior to entering the anchorage.
He emphasized that in the event of an unforeseen accident, the owners of the respective vessels can be contacted immediately so that rescue operations can be carried out more appropriately.
Wong stressed that according to regulations, diesel fuel can only be stored in tanks and onboard storage of “too much” LPG is prohibited, only three tanks of up to 50kg together when berthed are allowed onboard. It was noted that
However, he said vessels overloaded with dangerous goods such as LPG could still enter the inner harbor. However, he added that the cargo must be removed from the ship promptly after docking.
Mr Wong also said more DSAMA staff members would conduct additional patrols of the anchorage during the annual fishing moratorium and Chinese New Year, suggesting that boat owners were storing dangerous goods. He stressed that if found, a fine of MOP 500 to 10,000 will be imposed. Where prohibited or where LPG storage exceeds legal limits.
In addition, Mr Wong said two controlled areas will be set up in the north and south of the inner harbor for ship owners to conduct open flame activities and welding repairs on board. He added that once the fishermen have notified DSAMA, the agency will arrange for the vessels to enter the controlled area on an orderly basis, but must be anchored separately.
Given the high number of boats traditionally moored side by side, fishing vessels using the inner harbor mooring areas should be divided into groups of up to five boats moored side by side, Wong said. He said, adding that each group of boats should be separated by at least 10 meters. He stressed that cooking, worship and maintenance at the anchorage would be prohibited.
Mr Wong noted that in the past decade, at peak anchoring times, only about 200 fishing boats were at anchor simultaneously, and he believed the port had enough space to implement the new regulations.
In a separate exercise, DSAMA staff recently inspected 101 fishing vessels berthed in the inner harbor and assisted shipowners in removing excess combustible and hazardous materials from their vessels, such as LPG, gasoline and compressed gas. did.
The department, in conjunction with Macau Customs, recently held a briefing session with representatives of a number of fishing organizations to explain the strict rules governing the management of vessels at the inner harbor anchorages. New mooring arrangements in advance. Special seminars will also be arranged to help fishermen register their boats before the new rules come into force next month.
The department urged fishermen to maintain a high level of fire safety awareness while at anchorage, to arrange for staff to remain on board, and to ensure that there is adequate and ‘workable’ fire fighting equipment at all times. I added that I need to check. The Macau Post Daily reported that they paid close attention to the ship’s safety before boarding.
