Friday, November 17, 1972
SHIPS MUST BE MANNED BY SUFFICIENT CREW
The Marine Department is stepping up its efforts to crack down
on ships which do not have on board sufficient number of crew to ensure
its safety while in port.
A spokesman said that vessels, depending on their size, were
expected to have on board a specified number of crew, including competent
officers, in case of emergencies such as fire or the vessel dragging her
anchor onto other vessels or port facilities.
He pointed out that in a recent court case, the master of a ship
was fined $800 for failing to have on board enough members of the crew
capable of carrying out duties to ensure the ship's safety.
In fact, the spokesman continued, on an inspection by the Marine
Department Harbour Service patrol officers, it was found that no officer
or crew were on board at all,
"The only people on board were four fitters employed from a shore
contractor to carry out minor repairs."
The magistrate hearing the case, commented that the maximum
fine of $1,000 under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance appeared "insufficient
for offences of this nature".
до