TRANSPORT
Each year, the unit co-ordinates a major oil pollution exercise involving oil companies and government departments such as the Government Flying Services and Civil Aid Services. The latest exercise was held in late August 1997 in the East Lamma Channel, the main traffic lane for ships entering into Hong Kong. Delegates from the Shenzhen Harbour Superintendency Administration, the Zhuhai Harbour Superintendency Administration and the Macau Marine Department were invited to participate.
Regular meetings have been held quarterly with neighbouring Pearl River Delta ports such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Macau. A basic information exchange network has been set up to enable information on a major oil spill occurring in one port to be immediately known to other ports.
Local Craft
The concerted efforts of 14 600 local craft including ferries, barges, cargo working and harbour engineering craft, fishing boats and pleasure vessels provide a variety of efficient and continuous services for the Port of Hong Kong. More than 1 300 lighters and 340 cargo boats offer rapid and customised cargo movement services between ocean-going vessels berthing at anchorages or mooring buoys and cargo working areas ashore. In 1997, 100 of the 780 launches and ferries were operated by three major ferry companies providing scheduled services for ferrying more than 80 million. passengers between urban areas and outlying islands. A fleet of 6 700 fishing and 4 600 pleasure vessels continued to provide important support to the fishing industry and to recreational activities.
Development and Reclamation Projects
The Development Section of the Marine Department co-ordinates all marine works associated with development and reclamation projects within the waters of Hong Kong, such as Tseung Kwan O and the new airport related developments. The safety of marine traffic and operations of port facilities were protected by taking appropriate marine traffic measures.
Government Fleet
The government fleet of 343 powered vessels is highly visible in the port. It includes specialised vessels such as fire boats, police launches, airport rescue launches, pollution control launches, hydrographic survey launches and floating clinics. The government also has launches for harbour patrol, immigration, port health, customs clearance, correctional services, environmental protection and surveys of international shipping. In July 1997 many of these vessels were involved in the celebratory events held in the harbour to mark re-unification with China.
The Marine Department designs, procures and maintains all government vessels. It has a rolling 10-year fleet development plan to replace old vessels with new ones. In 1997, 15 vessels costing $66 million were delivered and 29 construction contracts, worth $238 million, awarded to shipbuilders in Hong Kong and overseas. Twelve vessels were procured for the new airport project at Chek Lap Kok.
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