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Communications
IN the days when Hong Kong lived largely by entrepôt trade, its position on the China Coast was its greatest advantage. Changed conditions have now placed the emphasis on industrial production and imports and exports, but that position is still of vital importance. Today as always the Colony relies upon an efficient system of communications.
The Port of Victoria is a fine natural harbour possessing all the facilities required by modern ship operators. Berths at government buoys, private wharves and piers permit a continual flow of ocean and coastal shipping to pass through the port with a minimum of delay. Modern cargo-handling equipment at the wharves ensures a rapid turn-around of ships berthed there. The services of ship con- tractors, repairers and chandlers specializing in maintenance, paint- ing, victualling, watering and refuelling are readily available.
The Director of Marine is responsible for the control of the navigable waters and ports of the Colony. The Marine Department maintains close liaison 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 shipping companies of all
nations.
Comprehensive navigational aids cover the harbour and ap- proaches, allowing safe entry to the port by day or night in all weathers. Improvements are under constant review by the Marine Department. The depth in the eastern approaches is 36 feet through Lei Yue Mun and 28 feet in the west, through Sulphur Channel or south of Stonecutters Island. Although pilotage is not com- pulsory, it is recommended owing to the density of traffic, new reclamations and harbour works.
Quarantine and immigration formalities are carried out at the eastern and western quarantine anchorages. Port health and