TRANSPORT
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Phase 1 of compulsory pilotage in Hong Kong came into operation on August 1, under the Pilotage (Amendment) Ordinance 1985 which was enacted on May 30. It is hoped that Phase 2 will be introduced in 1987 followed finally by Phase 3 in 1989 after which all ships of 1000 gross registered tonnes and above will be required to engage the services of a Hong Kong licensed pilot.
The Director of Marine is the Pilotage Authority in Hong Kong. All licensed pilots are members of the Hong Kong Pilots' Association which organises the provision of pilotage services on a commercial basis, the fees for which are governed by statute.
All the navigation buoys in Hong Kong waters are in uniformity with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities Maritime Buoyage System and all fairway buoys are lit and fitted with radar reflectors. Other aids to navigation in the harbour and its approaches are constantly being improved to ensure greater safety and the programmed conversion to solar power of a number of light beacons is continuing and proving successful.
The Port Communications Centre is linked by teleprinter, telephone and VHF radio to Green Island Signal Station and by telephone and VHF radio to Waglan Island Signal Station. The Marine Department operates a continuous VHF radiotelephone port opera- tions service, based on international maritime frequencies, which gives comprehensive marine communications throughout the harbour and its approaches. Marine Department teleprinter and telex facilities are linked directly to users on a world-wide basis.
There is also a continuously monitored disaster network which links the Marine Department's Search and Rescue Co-ordination Centre with aircraft of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and military helicopters, Marine Police and Fire Services Department launches and other similar facilities. In the event of a vessel experiencing difficulties in the South China Sea within about 1 300 kilometres of Hong Kong, the Marine Department can activate the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in liaison with other Rescue Co-ordination Centres in the region.
Following the government's decision in 1984 to proceed in principle to implementation of a vessel traffic management system for the waters of Hong Kong and its approaches, steps are now being taken to identify a principal contractor.
Marine Department patrol launches keep a watch on shipping, fairways, typhoon shelters and cargo working areas. The launches are in continuous radio contact with the Port Communications Centre, enabling the centre to initiate and co-ordinate any action required in unusual circumstances. A fleet of fire-fighting vessels operated by the Fire Services Department is kept in a state of readiness with units stationed on both sides of the harbour.
Good bunkering facilities are provided in the port, and vessels may be supplied with fuel oil either from wharves at oil terminals or from a fleet of floating oilers. Fresh water is obtainable at commercial wharves or from private water boats which service vessels at anchor or on government mooring buoys.
There are extensive facilities for repairing, maintaining and dry-docking or slipping all types of vessels, including oil rigs, up to about 230 metres in length and 27 metres beam. Five floating dry-docks are located off Tsing Yi Island: the largest is capable of lifting vessels up to 100 000 tonnes deadweight. Hong Kong has a large number of minor shipyards equipped to undertake repairs to small vessels. These yards also build specialised craft including sophisticated pleasure craft and yachts.
Hong Kong is a prominent centre for the recruiting of seafarers. The Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office register and supervise the employment