The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) commissioned three new marine firefighting vessels, including what is considered the world’s most powerful in terms of water output, on Tuesday, August 20.
The heavy fire vessel ‘Red Sailfish’ can pump out 240,000 litres of seawater a minute. It will start operation from 2020, along with a marine rescue vessel named Red Dolphin and a heavy rescue vessel named Red Manta.
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The Red Sailfish also has 12 water and foam monitors that enable 360-degree firefighting coverage, six automated decontamination shower cubicles, as well as a launch and recovery system for the use of an inflatable boat for rescue operations.
It is also equipped with on board detection capabilities for hazardous materials, and a chemical-biological-radiological (CBR) protection system. In addition, the ship can automatically maintain its position in the water.
The cost of the vessels is not known, but their construction started in 2017.
Last year, marine firefighting resources from the SCDF were needed during in a five-hour operation to extinguish a fire that took place in the upper decks of a container ship.
More recently, in July, the SCDF marine firefighters were deployed when a fire erupted on a coastal fish farm in off Pulau Ubin.