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During the year, Hong Kong also adopted an important amendment to the SOLAS Convention 1974, which came into effect internationally. The new requirements provide for improved standards of life-saving appliances and related training measures, and are observed by Hong Kong-registered ships, thereby contributing to a greater level of safety for shipping generally.
Phase 1 of compulsory pilotage in Hong Kong is now in operation and it is expected that Phase 2 will be introduced in 1987. The final phase will be implemented in 1989, after which all ships of 1 000 gross registered tons and over will be required to engage the services of a Hong Kong-licensed pilot when navigating within the pilotage area. The Director of Marine is the Pilotage Authority in Hong Kong.
All licensed pilots are members of the Hong Kong Pilots Association which provides pilotage services on a commercial basis, the fees for which are governed by statute.
All navigation buoys in Hong Kong waters are in conformity 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 programme 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 radio-telephone port operations service, based on international maritime frequencies, which gives comprehen- sive marine communications throughout the harbour and its approaches. The teleprinter and telex facilities are also linked directly to users on a world-wide basis.
A continuously monitored emergency communications network links the Marine Depart- ment'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 1 300 kilometres of Hong Kong, the Marine Department will activate the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in liaison with other Rescue Co- ordination Centres in the region.
Marine Department patrol launches maintain 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. 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.
Following approval by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in July 1986, implementation of a Vessel Traffic Management System to reduce navigational risks for the waters of Hong Kong and its approaches commenced, and is expected to be completed in early 1989.
The system will consist of five remote radar sites located at Black Point, North East Lantau, Shek Kwu Chau, Bluff Head and Waglan Island, with the Vessel Traffic Centre located at the new Macau Ferry Terminal. It is intended that the system will be put into operation by phases as major elements are installed.
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 large fleet of bunkering barges. Fresh water is obtainable at commercial wharves or from private water boats which service vessels at anchor or on government mooring buoys.