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Communications
HONG KONG owes its existence to its position on the China Coast, where it is a focus for most of the communications routes of eastern Asia. Although since the second world war the economy has become less general to the traditional entrepôt trade and a vastly greater part is played by industry, need for efficient com- munications services of all kinds is as great if not greater than ever.
MARINE
The Port of Victoria is a fine natural harbour, to which have been added all facilities required by modern ship operators. Berths at Government buoys or at private wharves and piers allow a continual flow of ocean and coastal shipping to pass through the port without delay, while modern cargo handling equipment ensures the rapid turn round vital to shipping economy. Chinese crews have an excellent reputation for hard work and ability, and may be engaged for an entire ship, or for individual shipboard departments. All the ancillary services essential to the efficient day-to-day running of a ship can be provided at short notice by ship contractors, repairers and chandlers specializing in main- tenance and painting, victualling, watering and refuelling.
The Director of Marine is responsible for the administration of the port. The Marine Department co-operates closely with shipping and commercial interests through the Port Committee and the Port Executive Committee to ensure that port facilities and services keep pace with the ever-changing needs of Hong Kong and of the shipping companies.
A comprehensive system of navigational aids covers the harbour and approaches, which allow entry to the port by day or by night in all weathers. The depths in the eastern approaches are 36 feet through Lei Yue Mun and in the west 28 feet through Sulphur Channel or south of Stonecutters Island. Although pilotage is not