P 18
CAP. 281] Merchant Shipping (Miscellaneous Craft)
Regulations
[1983 Ed.
[Subsidiary] Obligation to let boat.
Restriction on conveyance of passengers.
Assignment of freeboard to dumb lighters.
L.N. 33/70.
Eleventh Schedule.
L.N. 258/74.
Issue of load line certificates and assignment of freeboard certificates to dumb lighters.
L.N. 33/70.
Twelfth Schedule.
Periodical inspection of dumb lighters. L.N. 33/70.
44. No licensee of a cargo boat shall refuse to let his boat, except for some reasonable cause,
45. Lighters and cargo boats will be allowed to carry as passengers only such persons as may be in charge of goods or baggage for the conveyance of which the boat is hired or used, or who may be required or may have been required to assist in loading or unloading, but such persons shall not exceed the number stated in the licence.
45A. (1) Every dumb lighter operating in the waters of Hong Kong shall be assigned a freeboard and shall be marked in accordance with-
(a) such load line rules as may be in force in Hong Kong; or (b) the provisions of the Eleventh Schedule.
(2) Any person who obliterates, alters or submerges any marking made on a dumb lighter in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $10,000.
45B. (1) In the case of a dumb lighter marked in accordance with regulation 45A(a) the freeboard may be assigned to it and a load line certificate issued in respect of it by an assigning authority authorized by the Hong Kong Government to issue load line certificates in respect of ships registered in Hong Kong.
(2) In the case of a dumb lighter marked in accordance with regulation 45A(b)—
(a) the Director shall cause the dumb lighter to be inspected by an officer of the Marine Department or, at his discretion, by a surveyor authorized by him; and
(b) if, on receipt of the report of such officer or surveyor authorized by the Director in respect of its principal dimensions, heights of coamings, closing appliances, scantlings and general hull structure, the Director is satisfied that the dumb lighter is fit for its intended purpose, he may assign a freeboard to the dumb lighter and issue an assignment of freeboard certificate in respect of it in the form set out in the Twelfth Schedule.
(3) Subject to regulation 45C(4), an assignment of freeboard certificate issued in respect of a dumb lighter pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be valid for a period not exceeding 4 years from the date on which it was issued.
45C. (1) Every dumb lighter operating in the waters of Hong Kong shall be periodically inspected by an officer of the Marine Department or, at the discretion of the Director, by a surveyor authorized by him.