Ships sink after blaze returns following initial extinguishment

Fire and smoke reignited early today on a fishing ship that was destroyed Monday evening as they caught fire, before some of them were partially submerged.

The reignition was observed at about 6:40 a.m. today.

Rescue efforts by the Fire Services Bureau (CB) and the Macao Customs (SA) were mobilized and traveled immediately to the scene. The fire was then quickly put out.

According to the CB, at 11:30 p.m. Monday night, another ship tilted to one side, although there was no visible fire. Moreover, two other ships were still seen to be affected by fire. The tackling was consumed overnight.

With a ship partially sunk into the water, signs of fuel leakage were seen on the sea from a high angle. No governmental announcement on clearing efforts has been received as of press time.

The fires affecting several ships that were towed to the berth Monday night by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) was pronounced extinguished at 4 a.m. Search has been conducted with no injury or casualty found.

As the reignition started, a woman of age 63 years who was reported to be a ship owner said that she was experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and high blood pressure. She also displaying distress. In the company of family members, she was sent to the government hospital for checks.

Lei Chon In, deputy executive director of the Associação de Mútuo Auxílio dos Moradores da Marginal (Coastal Area Residents’ Mutual Help Association), told local media outlet Macao Daily News that the government should review and renew laws and regulations governing marine safety.

He added that given Macau has been allowed to administer a relatively large area of marine territory, such legal updates are necessary to align with prospective marine development.

Although the fire has been extinguished as of press time, some ship owners expressed their disagreement or dissatisfaction with the government’s strategies in tackling the fire.

Due to the upcoming fishery recess period, ships are anchored on the coastline off from the Pier 16 and the Sofitel Hotel. They were tied closely together with ropes to provide stronger protection against typhoon and monsoons.

The recess period will start on May 1 and end on August 16. The fishing recess period is intended to prevent overfishing by leaving time for fish to reproduce.

Some ship owners desired to return to their boats Monday evening when the blaze just started to attempt to cut off the ropes, so that they could have driven their ships, which were at that point not involved in the fire, away from the scene. It was an effort, if successful, to cut off the fuel for the expansion of the fire.

However, according to local reports, the rescuing teams forbade them from doing so, citing safety as the major reason.

Ship owners admitted that the ships had highly inflammable materials onboard, such as gasoline and liquidized petroleum gas, because sometimes the owners, their families and staff reside on the ships.

This explains why several explosions were seen and heard during the fire on Monday.

Ship owners estimate the repair costs will range from one to two million patacas for each ship.

They also accused the government of not having enough equipment to tackle fire on the sea of such severity.

According to them, insurance coverage has been a problem because the service is not considered profitable, making it difficult for owners to purchase suitable insurance plans.

Meanwhile, the ferry service between the Inner Harbor and Wanzhai of neighboring Zhuhai was suspended Monday night to allow for firefighting. The service resumed at 3 p.m.