The Hong Kong Fire Department recently made a significant investment of $16 million in purchasing a self-balancing firefighting boat from Lungteh shipyard in Taiwan. This state-of-the-art vessel is the world’s largest self-righting firefighting boat and is designed to aid in maritime research and rescue operations in Hong Kong waters. The boat is equipped with a self-righting function which allows it to recover after capsizing in just a few seconds, ensuring that rescue and firefighting operations can continue even in challenging conditions. This feature increases the protection of firefighters on board and enhances the vessel’s mobility in adverse weather conditions.
The new firefighting boat, named “Fire Fighting Boat 12”, is approximately 35-40 meters long and weighs around 200 tons. It is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong by June 2024 after completing trials at the factory in Taiwan. Before being handed over, the boat will undergo several months of testing at To Ao port in Nghi Lan district and crew training. The construction and delivery process was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but authorities are eager to incorporate this cutting-edge technology into their emergency response fleet.
The Fire Department in Hong Kong has observed an increase in emergency accidents along the eastern seaboard in recent years, highlighting the need for improved maritime search and rescue capabilities. In addition to the new firefighting boat, authorities plan to add two command ships to replace older vessels in the fleet. This strategic investment will help strengthen maritime search and rescue operations in rough sea conditions and enhance overall emergency response capabilities in the region.
Lungteh shipyard, established in 1979, has a long-standing reputation for building medium-speed vessels for government agencies in Hong Kong. They have constructed numerous vessels for the fire service, coast guard, and customs department, showcasing their expertise in marine vessel construction. The acquisition of the self-balancing firefighting boat represents a significant advancement in the Hong Kong Fire Department’s capabilities and demonstrates their commitment to enhancing safety and emergency response in the region.