Maritime industry regulators plan to require inter-island passenger vessels to install automated firefighting equipment to help fight fires at sea like the one that struck the SuperFerry 12 last week. Maritime Industry Authority proposes making sprinkler systems a requirement on domestic
passenger liners, many of which are equipped only with manual water pumps and fire extinguishers. The fire on the SuperFerry 12 was placed under control within 30 minutes and completely put out three hours later with the help of automatic. A statement issued by Aboitiz Transport System, owner of the SuperFerry 12, said all 639 passengers and 145 crewmembers were safe and secure and that an evacuation of the ship was not necessary.(Source: inq7.net)