Speech by Mr G.A. Higginson, Secretary for Economic Services, in the Legislative Council on 15 May 1985
Pilotage (Amendment) Bill 1985
Sir,
I move that the Pilotage (Amendment) Bill 1985 be
read the second time.
2.
The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Pilotage
Ordinance to provide for compulsory pilotage for ships
navigating within Hong Kong waters.
3.
The majority of ocean-going ships in the port of
Hong Kong already use the services of pilots on a voluntary
basis. However, in view of the increasing number, speed and
size of such ships, it is desirable to insist that they do
so. This requirement, which reflects the high level of
activity in the port, will improve safety and efficiency.
4.
The Bill declares the waters of Hong Kong to be a
pilotage area and requires compulsory pilotage in those
waters for all ships specified in the First Schedule. The
Bill also exempts certain categories of ships from compulsory
pilotage and empowers the Director of Marine, as the Pilotage
Authority, to exempt certain other ships should circumstances