Macau Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Maritime Activities Department Chief Wong Man Tou told reporters yesterday that in response to a huge fire that broke out in the Inner Harbour anchorage in April, the bureau has strengthened its management rules for fishing vessels at the anchorage, which will come into effect next month, hoping to avoid fires there.
The fire broke out in the Inner Harbour on April 25 due to the explosion of a gas cylinder on one of the boats causing six massive blasts which sank five fishing vessels.
Wong made the remarks at a press briefing at Portuario Building on Avenida Marginal do Lam Mau.
Wong pointed out that once the new management rules have been implemented next month, all fishing vessels owners will be required to register with the bureau their vessel licences, contact details, berthing dates and the amount of diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) onboard before entering the anchorage, adding that in case of any unexpected accident, the owner of the respective vessel can be contacted immediately, and the rescue work can be better carried out.
Wong underlined that in accordance with the rules, diesel fuel can only be stored in tanks while the storing of “too much” LPG onboard is prohibited, noting that only three tanks of up to 50 kilogrammes together will be allowed onboard when berthing. However, he said, vessels with excessive amounts of dangerous goods, such as LPG, are still able to enter the Inner Harbour. However, after berthing, he added, the goods must be removed from the vessels promptly, otherwise, they must leave the anchorage.
Wong also said that more DSAMA staff members will be sent for additional patrols to the anchorage during the annual fishing moratorium and around the Chinese New Year, underlining that the boat owners will be fined between 500 and 10,000 patacas if their boats are found to be storing dangerous goods that are prohibited, or if the storage of LPG exceeds the legal limit.
Moreover, Wong noted that two control zones will be set up, one in the northern and the other in the southern areas of the Inner Harbour, for vessel owners to carry out open flame activities and welding repairs onboard their boats. He added that the bureau will arrange for vessels to enter the control zones in an orderly manner once the fishermen notify the DSAMA, but they must berth separately.
In view of the traditionally high number of boats mooring side by side, fishing vessels using the Inner Habour anchorage area must be divided into groups of only up to five boats berthing side by side, Wong said, adding that each group of boats must be separated by at least 10 metres. He underlined that any cooking, worship and maintenance will be prohibited in the anchorage.
Wong noted that in the past 10 years only about 200 fishing boats usually berthed simultaneously in the anchorage at its peak, so he believed that there is enough space to implement the new rules in the port.
DSAMA helps 101 fishing boats to remove excessive dangerous goods
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the bureau yesterday, DSAMA staff members recently inspected 101 fishing vessels berthing in the Inner Harbour, and assisted the boat owners to remove excessive amounts of inflammable and dangerous goods, such as LPG, petrol and compressed gas, onboard.
The statement noted that the bureau, together with the Macau Customs Service, recently held a briefing session with representatives from a number of fishermen’s organisations to explain the tightened rules on the management of the vessels in the Inner Harbour anchorage, so as to enable the fishing sector to prepare for the new mooring arrangements in advance. The statement added that special seminars will also be arranged for fishermen while assisting them in registering their boats before the new rules get off the ground next month.
The bureau urged fishermen to continue to maintain a high level of fire safety awareness while berthing in the anchorage and to arrange staff to stay on the vessels, adding that they should also ensure that there is always sufficient and “workable” fire-fighting equipment onboard while paying close attention to the safety of their boats.
This photo taken yesterday shows six fishing vessels berthing at the Inner Harbour anchorage. – Photos: Yuki Lei
Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) Maritime Activities Department Chief Wong Man Tou talks to reporters yesterday during a press briefing at Portuario Building on Avenida Marginal do Lam Mau.
