ORDINANCE No. 8 OF 1879.
Merchant Shipping.
2. A certificate of the Government surveyor or surveyors, shall contain statements of the following particulars :
(a.) That the hull, length, breadth, depth, tons, is sufficient for the service intended, and in good condition.
(b.) The number of passengers which the vessel is fit to carry, being, for vessels plying beyond the waters of the Colony, at the rate of ten superficial feet of the upper or weather deck, and at the rate of ten superficial feet of the deck immediately below the upper deck for each passenger and member of the crew; and for vessels plying within the waters of the Colony at the rate of seven superficial feet per passenger and member of the crew.
(c.) That the master possesses a certificate of qualification recognised by the Board of Trade, or a certificate of competency from the Harbour Master of Hongkong.
(d.) That provision is on board for the shelter of deck passengers, and that there are not less than two approved life buoys on board.
(e.) That the vessel carrying passengers outside the waters of the Colony has boats sufficient for the accommodation of half of the number of passengers and crew which the vessel is certified to carry.
(f.) That the vessel is properly fitted with bow and mast-head lights and also a riding light, in accordance with the international regulations.
(g.) That the vessel is properly found with anchors and chains.
(h.) That the crew is sufficient for the requirements of the vessel in the opinion of the Harbour Master.
3. A certificate of the Government surveyor or surveyors shall contain statements of the following particulars :-
(a.) That the machinery and boiler of the vessel are sufficient for the service intended, and in good condition, and that the safety valve is so constructed as to be out of the control of the engineer when the steam is up, and is not loaded beyond the pressure permitted by the surveyor's certificate.
(b.) The time for which such machinery will be sufficient.
(c.) That the engineer of the vessel possesses a certificate of qualification recognised by the Board of Trade or a certificate of competency from the Harbour Master of Hongkong.
4. Such certificates shall be in force for a period not exceeding twelve months.
5. On the receipt of the before mentioned certificates, the Harbour Master will cause a licence to be issued to the owner or master empowering the therein described vessel to convey the number of passengers certified to on the surveyor's declaration for a period not exceeding twelve months.