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Friday, December 15, 1972
HEAVIER PENALTIES TO COMBAT SEA POLLUTION
Higher Fines And Jail Sentences Proposed
Amending legislation to combat pollution of Hong Kong waters
and to improve the disciplinary measures and recruiting operation of
seamon will soon be introduced into the Legislative Council.
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 mainly provides
for heavier penalties for offences connected with sea pollution; while
the Merchant Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) (Amendment) Bill 1972 deals
with recruiting of seamen and discipline as well.
Both amending bills are published in today's Government Gazette
for general information.
The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 makes it an offence
to discharge oil, whether from land or ships, or to deposit without the
permission of the Director of Marine substances other than oil, into Hong
Kong waters.
Any person found guilty of the offence is liable on conviction
to a fine of $20,000 and to imprisonment of six months.
Whore oil is discharged from a vessel, the owner, master, agent
or charterer will be liable; and where it is discharged from a place on
land, the occupier or the owner will be liable.
The bill
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