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(c) it would be impossible to keep refugees on board
during typhoons because:
(i) (ii)
(iii)
(iv)
it would be very hazardous to life; these vessels are designed to ride out typhoons at sea and not at anchor in shallow and congested waters;
many do not have main engines which would be required to assist in riding out a typhoon either at sea, or at anchor;
crews not used to the vessels would be needed but it is unlikely that these could be found quickly in view of the risks involved,
(d) refugees would have to be evacuated well in
advance of the approach of a typhoon (e.g. when No 1 signal is hoisted) because the evacuation craft would be required for their normal public duties as the typhoon approached Hong Kong;
(e) back-up facilities on shore would be needed for,
perhaps, up to 5 days each time a typhoon
(f)
signal was raised and this would be tantamount to providing for another camp on shore;
forcing refugees back on board having once evacuated the vessels could prove difficult (and impossible if the vessels were destroyed);
(g) controlling the situation on board if a disturbance
broke out would be hard; especially in view of the risk of hostages being taken;
(h) the vessels would be difficult to police internally and in view of the numbers of people on board, a gang system and protection racket could soon develop;
(i) refugees would have no exercise for many months and this could lead to ill-health, boredom and possible unrest;
(j) several thousand life-saving appliances would have
to be obtained at considerable cost;
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