Gunsan Coast Guard Urges Caution for 'Ship Fires' Amid Early Heatwave

Fire Risks Due to Overload of Aging Electrical Equipment and High Humidity-Induced Leakage

Gunsan Maritime Police Station (Chief Park Kyung-chae) announced on the 26th that maritime workers must exercise special caution as ship fires causing various degrees of damage or total loss of vessels have recently occurred nationwide.

According to Gunsan Maritime Police, analysis of statistics from the Korea Coast Guard shows that a total of 779 ship fires occurred over the past five years. The accidents were mainly concentrated during seasonal transitions and summer months.

The causes of the accidents were identified as electrical system equipment aging, such as batteries and distribution panels, and short circuits or leakage caused by high humidity in summer, which triggered the fires.

On July 25 last year, the Coast Guard was extinguishing a fire on the 48-ton fishing vessel A approximately 33 km southwest of Eochongdo, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk.
[Photo by Gunsan Coast Guard]

The Coast Guard stated that fire accidents frequently occur in the hot and humid summer months of July and August, and this year, due to abnormal high temperatures, extra caution regarding fires is required.

A representative from Gunsan Maritime Police said, "There have been recent cases suspected to have originated from distribution panels or batteries located in ship engine rooms," adding, "It is essential to regularly inspect critical equipment such as generators and prevent fires caused by defects from repairs performed by non-experts."

He continued, "Flammable materials should not be stored near heat-generating equipment, nor should smoking be allowed," and urged, "Dust inside air conditioners should be thoroughly removed, their condition checked before operation, and dedicated single outlets for air conditioners must be used."

Park Kyung-chae, Chief of Gunsan Maritime Police Station, stated, "We plan to focus inspections on vulnerable areas and equipment such as engine rooms and generator rooms of aging fishing vessels in cooperation with local governments, fisheries cooperatives, and related organizations," and added, "We will establish thorough prevention and response plans for ship fires and do our best to prevent accidents."