Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter Fire | Boat owners burst 80% of boats occupied, Marine Department prosecuted 6 yachts for 4 and a half years

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Written by: Cai Zhengbang and Deng Yongzhong

2021-06-27 12:16

Last update date: 2021-06-27 18:42

The Class 3 fire at the South Typhoon Shelter in Aberdeen involved more than 30 vessels, and at least 16 yachts burst into flames.

Thirty-five people were evacuated in the early morning, and a 12-year-old boy was sent to the hospital unwell after inhaling heavy smoke.

When asked whether the fire involved cooking at the stove, whether anyone was living on the ship or having a party, the Marine Police said it was still investigating.

The firefighter said that "not too many people live on the boat", but according to the boat owner on the scene, 80% of the Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter is inhabited, and most of them are foreigners.

According to the Marine Department, the accident involved more than 30 ships, of which about 20 ships sank, and the shipowner of the ship involved is following up the salvage of the sunken ship.

There were 50 meters by 50 meters of oil and floating garbage at the scene, and the contractor was immediately arranged to clean it up.

As for the use of yachts for non-amusement purposes, the Marine Department stated that in the past four and a half years, 25 cases were successfully prosecuted, including 6 cases involving the use of yachts for hotel purposes.

A fire broke out on the waters of Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter at 2:34 am today (June 27). After 5 hours of fighting, the fire was surrounded at 7:32 am and was roughly put out at 8:40 am.

Thirty-five people were evacuated in the early morning, and a 12-year-old boy was sent to the hospital unwell after inhaling heavy smoke.

The Divisional Commander of the Fire Services Department (Marine and Diving) Yu Wenyang stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. According to on-site information, "not too many people are living on the ship."

However, a nearby boat owner revealed to "Hong Kong 01" that there are more than 100 boats and boats moored in the South Typhoon Shelter in Aberdeen, of which 80% of the boats and boats are inhabited and most of them are foreigners.

The former boatman, Mr. Guo, believes that only about 10% of the "home boats", of which about eight are foreigners.

In the past, due to the reconstruction of Discovery Bay and Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelters, some boats were driven to anchor in Aberdeen, but some have returned to Causeway Bay.

Today, there are about 500 ships berthed in the South Typhoon Shelter in Aberdeen. Mr. Guo said, "500 is not enough, and sometimes I compete with fishing boats." But he thinks that foreigners are good at cooking. Make the wok gas."

According to the Marine Department, a 50-meter by 50-meter oil pollution and floating garbage were found at the scene of the accident, and the contractor has been immediately arranged to clean it up.

The prescription will continue to closely monitor the situation and complete the clearance as soon as possible.

The accident occurred in the private mooring area of ​​the South Typhoon Shelter in Aberdeen, and the pleasure boats involved were moored to its buoys.

The accident involved more than 30 ships, of which about 20 ships sank. The Marine Department is following up with the shipowners of the ships involved in the salvage of the sunken ship.

Four and a half years Marine Department prosecuted 6 yachts for hotel use

Regarding the suspected occupancy of a vessel, the Marine Department stated that in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Certificates and Licensing Matters) Regulations, the owner or charterer of a pleasure vessel (ie a Class IV vessel) can only use the vessel Purely for amusement purposes.

Regardless of where in Hong Kong waters, it is illegal to use yachts for non-amusement purposes.

The owner, agent and captain of the vessel concerned are each liable to a fine of HK$10,000 upon conviction.

From 2017 to 2021 (as of June 27), the Marine Department successfully prosecuted 25 cases of using yachts for non-amusement purposes, including 6 cases involving the use of yachts for hotel purposes.

According to Article 4 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Typhoon Shelter) Regulations (Cap 548E), except for certain exceptions (such as vessels carrying dangerous goods or exceeding the allowable length of typhoon shelters), all local vessels are allowed at any time Enter any typhoon shelter and stay in it, but its anchorage position shall not be in the navigable area of ​​the typhoon shelter, or prevent other vessels from freely accessing any unoccupied space in the typhoon shelter.

The Marine Department stated that prescribers patrol and inspect ships in different waters (including typhoon shelters) in Hong Kong from time to time, including checking on-board life-saving and fire-fighting equipment, and distributing fire protection leaflets to ensure the safety of ships and people on board.

In addition, the Marine Department, in conjunction with relevant departments, organizes fire prevention seminars and exercises with stakeholders from time to time to raise awareness of fire prevention.

Dinghy helped evacuate 35 people

The Chief Inspector of Marine Police South Division (Operations) Yu Jialun stated that 4 marine police launches and 6 police boats were dispatched to assist fire rescue.

The marine police vessel assisted the fireboat to put out the fire and blocked the scene, while the small boat assisted in the search and evacuation of 35 people, including 22 men and 13 women, to the base of the Marine Police South Division.

He reminded the ship’s family to be affected by the fire. There are sinking ships and floating objects in the nearby waters, which may affect the navigation channel, and be cautious when navigating.

The Marine Department contractor was present to deal with the oil pollution, and there were also small boats to clean up marine garbage.

At the beginning, two yachts caught fire at the scene. The narrow waterways on the sea surface increased the difficulty of fire fighting. In addition, the wind caused the fire to spread to neighboring vessels, and the fired vessel was disconnected and floated to other yachts. The incident involved at least more than 30 vessels, and the actual number awaits the divers of the Fire Services Department. It can be confirmed only after falling into the water search and counting.

The fire department used 7 fire boats, 41 fire and ambulances, 11 water cannons, 8 jets and 4 breathing apparatus teams in the fire alarm, and sent a total of 215 fire and ambulance personnel to assist in the rescue.

The Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter burned the serial boats, and at least 16 yachts burst into flames.

The incident occurred at 2:34 am today (27th). The police and firefighters received multiple reports that two ships caught fire 200 meters away from the South Typhoon Shelter in Aberdeen, which later affected at least 30 ships nearby.

After preliminary investigation, the incident was classified as a vessel fire, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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