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COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
following day she listed heavily to starboard and foundered. There was no loss of life but a Marine Court, which was appointed under Section 52 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance to investigate the fire, found that it was a deliberate act or acts by a person or persons unknown. There were about 3,000 tons of fuel oil on board the vessel at the time and the majority of this has now been removed from 24 tanks to eliminate as far as possible any pollution threat to the waters of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is situated in an area which is frequently affected by tropical cyclones in the summer months but, although signals were hoisted on several occasions, Hong Kong was not seriously affected during the year, although heavy rains affected cargo working during the summer months.
Civil Aviation
Hong Kong International Airport, built on land reclaimed from the sea, continues to arouse worldwide interest, and has long been regarded as second to none in Asia. Conveniently situated on the Kowloon peninsula, it is only 20 minutes drive, or less than five minutes flight by scheduled helicopter service, to the heart of the com- mercial, hotel, and shopping centre of Victoria on Hong Kong Island. Geographically, it is strategically positioned for the rapidly expanding markets of the Far East.
The airport is of vital significance to the economy, serving tourism and commerce, and providing a speedy outlet for Hong Kong's manufactured goods. It is linked to all parts of the world by 31 international airlines, that provide 806 scheduled passenger services to and from Hong Kong each week. Of these, 72 are by Boeing 747 'jumbo' jet. In addition, there are also 57 scheduled freight services, and a large number of non-scheduled charter passenger and cargo flights each week. Revenue from the airport amounted to $103,492,357 during the last financial year.
The airport is managed and operated by the Civil Aviation Department of the Hong Kong Government. This department is also responsible for the provision of Air Traffic Control services, and an air/sea search-and-rescue facility to all aircraft operating over a 100,000 square mile area designated as the Hong Kong Flight Information Region. Aeronautical information and an extensive system of telecom- munications are also available, along with the aeronautical meteorological service provided in conjunction with the Royal Observatory. The latest equipment is im- mediately available to provide fire, crash and rescue services to the highest inter- national standards in any emergency.
Sophisticated radio and navigational aids are provided by the airport to meet international standards of performance, and these are supplemented or updated as necessary. A third surveillance radar of the latest design recently became operational. A new precision approach radar is shortly to be commissioned as an alternative final approach aid for Runway 31, and work is continuing on the implementation of a new instrument approach system for Runway 13.
To remain in the forefront of civil aviation, the airport is currently engaged in a very extensive development programme. Work is continuing on the extension of the runway by 2,780 feet to a total of 11,130 feet, along with the building of a new