SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1978
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REGULATIONS ON SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL GAZETTED ******
A SET OF THREE REGULATIONS RELATING TO SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (DECEMBER 1).
THESE ARE THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL REGULATIONS 1978- SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (TYPHOON SHELTERS) REGULATIONS 1978- AND THE SHIPPING PORT CONTROL (HONG KONG-MACAU FERRY TERMINALS) REGULATIONS 1978. THEY WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL REGULATIONS 1978
THESE REGULATIONS MAINLY REPLACE AND RE-ENACT THE PRESENT MERCHANT SHIPPING (CONTROL OF PORTS) REGULATIONS.
THE MAJOR CHANGE IS IN PART 1 OF THE REGULATIONS WHICH REQUIRES ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS OVER 300 TONS GROSS USING HONG KONG WATERS TO BE EQUIPPED WITH VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (V.H.F.) RADIO-TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT.
MOST OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ALREADY HAVE THIS EQUIPMENT AND DO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE, BUT IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY IT WAS CONSIDERED DESIRABLE TO MAKE THIS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT SO THAT THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE WILL BE ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE THE MOVEMENT OF ALL OCEAN- GOING VESSELS.
AN OCEAN-GOING VESSEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE BEFORE ENTERING THE WATERS OF HONG KONG AND GIVE ITS IDENTITY, LOCATION AND INTENDED ROUTE.
AFTER THE VESSEL IS ANCHORED IT WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPORT ITS LOCATION, THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ITS NEXT MOVEMENT AND CHANGE OF ANCHORAGE OR MOVEMENT.
BEFORE IT PROCEEDS TO SEA, IT WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO GIVE ITS IDENTITY, LOCATION AND INTENDED COURSE.
HAVING REGARD TO THE TRAFFIC, WEATHER, AND OTHER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS, THE PORT COMMUNICATION CENTRE MAY GIVE DIRECTIONS AS TO THE TIME WHEN AND THE PLACE WHERE THE VESSEL MAY ANCHOR, MOVE WITHIN OR DEPART FROM THE WATERS OF HONG KONG.
DURING ITS STAY IN HONG KONG WATERS, THE VESSEL MAY BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS LISTENING WATCH ON THE RADIO- TELEPHONE SO THAT IT IS AWARE OF THE PREVAILING TRAFFIC AND WEATHER CONDITIONS IN LOCAL WATERS.
THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FROM COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS A BREAKDOWN IN THE EQUIPMENT OR AN EMERGENCY AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF LIFE OR PROPERTY.
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