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COMMUNICATIONS
services to and from Hong Kong, some 20 companies providing regular sailings to Europe and a like number to the North American continent. There are regular services to Australia, New Zealand, South American and South African and Asian ports. Hong Kong continues to be a popular tourist attraction and large luxury liners on round-the-world or trans-Pacific cruises call frequently. The Marine Department maintains 52 moorings for ocean-going vessels. Of these, 30 are classified as suitable for the use of vessels up to 600 feet in length in typhoon conditions, and 22 for vessels up to 450 feet in length. Commercial wharves are able to accommodate vessels up to 750 feet in length with a draught up to 32 feet. Construction of a new ocean terminal has started; the temporary passenger terminal at Navy Street continues successfully to bridge the gap. It is estimated that the wharf and godown companies have a total storage space of well over 1,000,000 tons, catering for the storage and transhipment of all types of refrigerated, dangerous and ordinary goods. The year again saw the completion of more new godowns of modern design.
Most cargo handled in Hong Kong is at some stage or another transported by lighter and there are over 1,000 lighters and junks used for this purpose, of which more than 300 are mechanically propelled. This mechanized fleet continues to grow larger, as it is the form of transport particularly suited to the handling and delivery of the small parcels which make up a considerable proportion of cargoes handled in the port. First class bunkering services are provided either at the four oil depot wharves or by lighter. Fresh water is also available although the supply may be limited in the dry season, and in 1963 was limited throughout the summer and autumn due to the prolonged drought.
Officers of the Mercantile Marine Office supervise the engage- ment and discharge of seamen serving in British ships and also the crews of those ships whose countries have no consular representation in Hong Kong. Some 26,000 Hong Kong seamen are now regularly engaged in a sea-going capacity in ships under many different national flags. A Seamen's Recruitment Committee was appointed by the Governor in March to inquire into the present systems under which Chinese seamen obtain employment at sea. The committee's interim report at the end of May recom- mended that a central organization be set up by Government, to