NFA warns ship owners
3-Feb-2010 10:59 AM

The National Fire Authority advises ship owners to ensure their vessels are in compliance with fire safety standards to reduce the risk of fires.

This comes in light after a man died following an explosion on a yacht he was working on in Suva harbour on Sunday night January 31st.

The four men were painting the yacht NAI’A docked along the IMEL dock in Walu Bay when the explosion occurred at about 7pm.

One of the four men died instantly while his two companions have been admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital with critical injuries.

NFA Chief Fire Officer Mr Tupou Saubulinayau: “We urge yacht owners to have their yacht inspected by the authority to ensure compliance with fire safety standards.”

“It is unfortunate to note that a person died at the workplace and we sympathise with the family of the deceased.”

“The above incident could have been avoided if fire safety compliance measures were followed and workers trained on fire safety procedures.”

“The yacht was stocked with hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and paints where the four men were working when it came into contact with an ignition source causing the explosion,” Mr Saubulinayau said.

“NFA advises the owners of boats and yachts to ensure that their vessels are regularly inspected by NFA officers to avoid such unfortunate incidents. We also encourage employers to ensure their work places are safe and that workers are sufficiently trained on safety and precautionary measures to prevent such accidents from happening.”

“Under our new Fire Service Amendment (Decree) 2009 section 12 (1) subsection (4) the authority is empowered to inspect any vessel or motor vehicle for fire safety compliant,”

Minister Saubulinayau added.