Pasir Ris fish farms set up emergency watch system

Emergency watch system - now at sea
Initiative launched by 18 fish farmers aims to provide quick, efficient help
By Jessica Lim Straits Times 10 Jan 11;

FISH farmers here are banding together to start a neighbourhood watch system specifically for emergencies at sea.

While previously reliant only on the Police Coast Guard for help, a group of 18 Pasir Ris fish farmers are hoping that the new system will allow them to react more quickly and efficiently to emergency situations.

They have already bought a jet boat and a jet ski for rescue operations, and by March they will have a fully functioning sea ambulance - complete with first-aid kits, stretchers, drips and a defibrillator - to launch the initiative.

Although there have not been any deaths in recent years, several recent events have prompted the farmers to act, said fish farmer Philip Lim, who heads the group of 18 farmers under the Singapore Marine Aquaculture Cooperative (SMAC).

'There are many elderly farmers here and we have had a couple of close shaves,' said Mr Lim, recounting a recent incident in which a farmer suffered a heart attack and blacked out for 10 minutes. There have also been instances of fire on the farms after floating drums containing petrol exploded.

While farmers have the option of calling the Police Coast Guard for help, many are poorly educated and unable to accurately describe their exact location at sea.

For instance, when a boat capsizes, most farmers would not be able to effectively communicate their location to the coast guard.

'Fishermen usually describe their location by landmarks and describe what is around them. They don't even know what latitude and longitude is, and most of them don't speak English,' said Mr Lim, who said that it also takes some time for help to arrive.

'We felt that we needed to form a team to help ourselves. We know the waters around here like the back of our hand, so the new system makes more sense.'

The farmers will take turns manning the rescue craft on a 12-hour shift.

Medic Network, a private emergency evacuation company that is in the final stages of negotiation with the SMAC to supply the sea ambulance, will be providing free first-aid and emergency response training for the farmers.

The project will cost the co-op about $400,000 in total, an amount members are forking out from their own pockets.

But SMAC - which was formed in 2009 to help member farmers increase their productivity through bulk purchases and group contracts - is hoping to recoup some of the costs through fund-raising activities later on.

SMAC is in the process of being registered as a business.

While other farmers acknowledge that it is a good idea, they are less enthusiastic about joining the group's efforts.

'I'm not sure I have the time to go for training. Also, when you are on duty you have to be vigilant. It is a big responsibility and is tiring,' said Mr Yeo King Kwee, who owns a fish farm off the Lim Chu Kang coast. 'Also, how will I be able to do my work the next day?'

There are currently 106 licensed coastal fish farms in Singapore, mostly scattered off Pasir Ris beach and on the Lim Chu Kang coastline. The farms breed fish such as sea bass and mullet from fry bought from places like Taiwan and Indonesia. Each farm typically has one to four people on it at any one time, including farmers and farm workers.

Pasir Ris fish farmer K.H. Ho, 50, is just relieved that a system is being put in place.

The father of two teenage children suffered a heart attack on his fish farm off Pasir Ris Park three months ago.

'I broke into a cold sweat and had severe chest pains. I was looking for someone to call, but there was no one around,' he said, adding that he soon blacked out for about 10 minutes from the pain.

'When I woke up, I ferried myself to shore and went to Changi General Hospital. I really thought it was the end for me,' he said in Mandarin, adding that he would have called the neighbourhood watch if there was one then.

'With the new system, I won't be afraid that no one will help me when I need it.'