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Work also commenced on the reclamation of a further 29 hectares of land at Kwai Chung for the provision of Terminal 6, which will comprise three berths and associated terminal facilities. Construction of this new terminal is expected to be completed by mid-1989. The government gazetted the tendering for the new Terminal 7 in September, with the contract to be awarded in early 1988 and completion expected by early 1993.
During the year, 11 million passengers were carried between Hong Kong and Macau by dynamically supported ferries and conventional ferries operating from either the Macau Ferry Terminal in Central on Hong Kong Island, or the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sham Shui Po in Kowloon.
About 2.8 million passengers travelling between Hong Kong and over 20 destinations in China, representing an increase of 17 per cent over 1986, passed through the temporary terminals at Tai Kok Tsui and Central. A mixture of dynamically supported ferries and conventional ferries operate on these routes.[ ]
The new China Ferry Terminal being constructed in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon is expected to open in the summer of 1988. It will replace the temporary terminals at Tai Kok Tsui and Central.
The Marine Department provides and maintains 71 mooring buoys within the port of Hong Kong for ships to work cargo in the stream. These moorings are classified as 'A Class' and 'B Class' and are suitable for vessels up to 183 and 137 metres in length respectively. Many of these moorings are special typhoon moorings to which vessels may remain secured during the passage of tropical cyclones, so improving working efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Immigration and quarantine facilities for vessels calling at Hong Kong are available on a 24-hour basis at the Western Quarantine Anchorage. At the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage, these services are available only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily and in the case of the quarantine service, only on request through the Port Communications Centre. These services, including advance clearance, may be applied for by radio.
Compulsory pilotage is being introduced in phases in Hong Kong and, at present in Phase 2, applies to all vessels over 5 000 gross registered tons, and in certain circumstances to smaller vessels. The final phase is expected to come into effect in 1989, when all ships of 1000 gross registered tons and over will be required to engage the services of a Hong Kong-licensed pilot when navigating in the pilotage area.
All licensed pilots are members of the Hong Kong Pilots Association, which is a commercial organisation, operating under the provisions of the Pilotage Ordinance and the powers of the Pilotage Authority, who is the Director of Marine.
All navigation buoys in Hong Kong coastal waters conform with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities Maritime Buoyage System, and those marking major fairways are lit and fitted with radar reflectors. Aids to navigation in the harbour and its approaches are constantly being improved to ensure greater maritime safety.
The Port Communications Centre, which is manned by professional officers at all times, controls and monitors shipping movements within Hong Kong waters, and is equipped with various communications systems, VHF Radio, teleprinter, telephone and facsimile. These systems provide comprehensive maritime communications both within the harbour and its approaches and, through commercial links with Cable and Wireless, on a world- wide basis.
Marine Department launches patrol the main harbour area and its approaches. They are in continuous radio contact with the Port Communications Centre, so enabling them to respond to any emergency and fulfil the executive functions of the duty officer in the Port