In response to the increasing number of emergency accidents on Hong Kong’s eastern seaboard, the Hong Kong Fire Department has recently purchased a new self-balancing firefighting boat. Built by Lungteh shipyard in Taiwan, this vessel is considered the world’s largest self-righting firefighting boat and will be used for maritime research and rescue operations in Hong Kong waters. The boat, named “Fire Fighting Boat 12,” is expected to arrive in Hong Kong by June 2024 after completing trials at the factory.
The self-righting function of the ship allows for continued rescue and firefighting operations even in challenging conditions, improving the protection of firefighters on board and enhancing mobility in adverse weather. Over the past few years, the number of emergency accidents in Hong Kong’s eastern seaboard has been increasing, prompting the need for a new ship model to strengthen maritime search and rescue activities in rough sea conditions.
Lungteh Shipyard, with a history dating back to 1979, specializes in producing medium-speed vessels and has built many ships for various government agencies in Hong Kong. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction and handover process of the firefighting ship has been ongoing, with a balance arm that allows the vessel to return to an upright position when rolling. This new addition to the Hong Kong Fire Department’s fleet aims to enhance their capabilities in responding to emergencies and conducting rescue operations at sea. In addition to the new firefighting ship, authorities plan to add two command ships to replace existing ones over the next few years.