CONFIDENTIAL
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Governments
benefit will certainly become more important as the number
of such ships continues to grow. The number is expected
to grow because the International Convention for Safety of
Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS Convention), which applies to Hong
Kong, was amended at a Conference of Contracting
convened by the International Maritime
Organization and held in London from 31 October to 11
November 1988. As so amended, Article I, and Chapter IV
of the Annex to the SOLAS Convention (and in particular
Part C, Regulation 10) will make the carriage of satellite
communication equipment one of
of two alternative mandatory
requirements for ships of certain categories, i.e., cargo
ships of gross tonnage exceeding 300 tons and all
passenger ships engaged on international voyages on routes
beyond the
coverage
of Very-High-Frequency and
Medium-Frequency radio stations but within the coverage of
INMARSAT satellites.
17.
When INMARSAT services are later extended to
aircraft, aircraft registered in Hong Kong will also be
able to make use of these services. In this area also a
speedy procedure can be expected to be of benefit to
applicants.
Proposals
18.
is no need for any
Since the PRC is a party to the Convention, there
action to be taken to secure the