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so require. One effect of these provisions is to exempt from
compulsory pilotage ferries and hydrofoils operating to and
from Macau and the Pearl River and also certain working craft
operating within Hong Kong waters. The masters of these
vessels are expected to be totally familiar with local
conditions and, under normal circumstances, would not require
the services of a pilot.
5.
The Bill provides for the introduction of the
initial phase of compulsory pilotage to come into effect on
1 August 1985. This phase will provide for compulsory
pilotage to apply to three classes of ships: firstly, to all
ships over 10 000 gross registered tonnes; secondly, to all
ships over 1 000 gross registered tonnes proceeding to and
from certain specified points or carrying specified dangerous
goods; and thirdly, to ships of 300 gross registered tonnes
or over which are disabled for any reason or which are likely
to pose a threat to property.
6.
It is hoped that the second phase for all ships over
5 000 gross registered tonnes and the third phase for all
ships over 1 000 gross registered tonnes will come into force
in 1987 and 1989 respectively. The reason for the phased
introduction of compulsory pilotage is to allow time for
necessary operational adjustments to be made and for
additional pilots to be recruited and trained.