Khulna Shipyard building two high-power fire-floats
Designed by a Canadian company Robert Allan Limited, two unique firefighting vessels - fire floats- are under construction at the Khulna Shipyard Limited. These will be handed over to Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence in February next year.
Khulna Shipyard Limited is constructing two high-capacity fire-floats for the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, following its success in building ships, tugboats, pontoons and jetties for the Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coast Guard and other maritime organisations.
Renowned Canadian shipbuilding company Robert Alan Limited has designed the model of the two firefighting vessels at a cost of Tk1.58 crore. The design was handed over to the Khulna Shipyard authorities on November 11, 2018. The Design and Planning Department of Khulna Shipyard is constructing the unique fire-floats.
The modern fire-floats will be used in extinguishing fire on the plying vessels -- boats, barges, cargoes and various trade establishments in river and sea.
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Assistant Engineer of Khulna Shipyard and Project Officer of the fire-float project Subrata Kumar Majhi said, "Each of the advanced fire floats weighing 38 tonnes are 18.85-metre long, 5.35-metre wide, 2.6-metre deep with 1.5-metre draft.
"The vessels built at a cost of Tk15 crore will be handed over to the fire service on February 7 next year."
Khulna Shipyard Limited sources said they have already constructed four other fire-floats for the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence. But these two would be more modernised, advanced and high-powered than the previous ones.
On February 11, 2018, Khulna Shipyard and Fire Service and Civil Defence inked a deal to construct these two modern fire-floats. Following the deal, the designs of the vessels have reached to Khulna Shipyard on November 11 last year.
Subrata Kumar Majhi also said they have imported two engines and generators from the United States, two fire pumps from Italy with a capacity of lifting 20 litres of water every minute, and hydraulic steering systems from India for both of the fire-floats.
Aluminium honeycomb composite panels are used to reduce weight of the vessels. The two floats will also be powered with modern GPS, radar, echo sounder and magnetic compasses.
The firefighters will be stationed at the main deck facilitated with officers' cabin, wash corners, galley, air-conditioned deck-house and berths for six persons for night stay.
Captain M Sajedul Karim, managing director of Khulna Shipyard Limited said, "Khulna Shipyard has reached this glorious height because of the honesty, integrity and dedication of the Navy officers."
He also said the Shipyard has been modernised maintaining transparency and quality of production. It will be improved more in the coming days. The construction of electrical and weapon workshop is in progress in the shipyard.
"The government has allotted 162.9 acres of land in Taltoli of Barguna. A shipyard will be established there with a facility to build ships weighing 30,000 tonnes and above," he said.
