TRANSPORT
The department is also revising the dangerous goods legislation with a view to bringing it into conformity with the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code in respect of classification, marking and labelling, packing and packaging, stowage and segregation. The revised legislation is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Council in 2000.
Public Cargo Working Areas
The Marine Department has carried out a two-phase management reform in the Public Cargo Working Areas (PCWAs) since 1995. The purpose of the reform is to improve productivity and efficiency in the operation of these working areas. The first phase, consisting of leasing out the berthing spaces through two tendering exercises, was completed in February 1998. The second phase, which was mainly to streamline the permit structure and rationalise the use of landside spaces, was completed in May 1999. As part of the second phase reform, an Automatic Vehicle Control System is being installed in four PCWAs, with the job expected to be completed by June 2000.
Participation in International Shipping Organisations
International Maritime Organisation
Hong Kong participates in the activities of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as an Associate Member in the name of 'Hong Kong, China'. Hong Kong takes active part in major IMO activities. Hong Kong's maritime industry is consulted and briefed on all issues of importance to the SAR. During the year, Hong Kong attended 10 IMO meetings held in London and one diplomatic conference in Geneva, Switzerland, under the auspices of the IMO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Its main contributions in the IMO in 1999 concerned standards of training and certification for seafarers, bulk carrier safety, radio communications, revision of the High Speed Craft Code, safety of navigation, fire protection, prevention of pollution and matters relating to limitation of liability.
Maritime Search and Rescue
The search and rescue responsibility for maritime distress situations occurring within Hong Kong waters and the major part of the South China Sea covering a sea area of about 450 000 square kilometres, as agreed internationally, rests with the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) of the Marine Department.
The MRCC is manned 24 hours a day by professional staff and is equipped with comprehensive communication equipment and a shore-based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. It co-ordinates search and rescue operations in conjunction with other government departments and international ships on the high seas. Staff members of the MRCC regularly hold maritime safety seminars for fishermen's associations and yacht clubs and for the shipping community in neighbouring Guangdong Province.
In 1999, the centre handled 310 cases of vessel emergencies, of which 78 developed into search and rescue operations including 30 medical evacuations. A total of 244 persons were rescued. The centre presented six safety seminars for the public.
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