Free Distribution of 'Fire Detection and Alarm Devices' to Coastal Fishing Vessels

Proposed Locations for Fire Detection and Alarm Devices.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 26th that it will provide 'fire detection and alarm devices' free of charge to coastal fishing vessels to reduce casualties caused by fishing vessel fires and to promote a culture of safety on fishing vessels.

The devices will first be supplied to 2,700 coastal fishing vessels that have long fishing periods and carry many crew members among those enrolled in fishing vessel disaster insurance. From the second half of this year, the distribution will be expanded to include coastal fishing vessels as well.

Although fires on fishing vessels account for only 5% of all fishing vessel accidents, once they occur, they can lead to large-scale casualties, requiring special attention and management. Currently, firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers is mandatory on fishing vessels, but there is a lack of equipment to detect fires early in specific areas such as engine rooms, making it difficult to quickly suppress fires.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries decided to provide fire detection and alarm devices free of charge to fishing vessels so that fires can be quickly detected and responded to regardless of where they occur on the vessel. To this end, technical reviews were conducted from January to February this year, followed by bidding announcements and contract processes from February to April.

The fire detection and alarm device will be installed as one set (four fire detectors and one visual alarm) in areas where fires mainly occur, such as engine rooms, wheelhouses, crew quarters, and cooking areas. The Ministry expects that early fire suppression will minimize casualties and significantly enhance the safety of fishing vessels.

Those who wish to receive the fire detection and alarm devices for fishing vessels can apply through the Fisheries Cooperative's Fishing Vessel Safety Operation Bureau in their jurisdiction.

Choi Yong-seok, Director of Fisheries Resources Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Since the fire detection and alarm device is an important piece of equipment that can minimize damage in the event of a fishing vessel fire, we ask fishermen to continuously maintain and manage it after installation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.