MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1981
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NEW RADIO NETWORK FOR FISHERMEN
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THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, A NEW RADIO NETWORK NOW ENABLES FISHERMEN AT SEA TO COMMUNICATE FROM SHIP TO SHIP AND WITH SHORE.
FISHING VESSELS SUITABLY EQUIPPED WITH RAD 10-TELEPHONY EQUIPMENT WILL NOW BE ABLE TO CONTACT THE HONG KONG COAST STATION FROM A RADIUS OF 500 MILES, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL DISCLOSED TODAY (MONDAY).
A FURTHER CONVENIENCE FOR THE FISHERMEN IS THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE TELEPHONE CALLS THROUGH THE HONG KONG COAST SYSTEM TO THE IR FAMILIES ON SHORE. THE CHARGES FOR THE FIRST THREE MINUTES WILL BE SHORT-RANGE CALLS $7.05, LONG-RANGE CALLS $14.10.
+EMERGENCY CALLS WILL BE CONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE, HE SAID.
THERE HAD BEEN CONCERN IN THE PAST ABOUT THE LACK OF RADIO CONTACT FACILITIES BETWEEN THE 5 000 FISHING VESSELS WHILE THEY WERE OUT AT SEA AND THE SHORE STATION, AND THAT ACCIDENTS THAT MIGHT OCCUR WOULD NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL THE VESSELS RETURNED TO HONG KONG.
WITH THIS IN MIND, THE POST OFFICE AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) LIMITED, AS WELL AS VARIOUS DEEP-SEA TRAWLER OWNERS AND LOCAL RADIO SUPPLIERS GOT TOGETHER TO WORK OUT THE NEW RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.
IN LINE WITH THE NEW SERVICE, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING FREE COURSES FOR FISHERMEN
ON HOW TO OPERATE THE RADIO. EACH COURSE LASTS TWO WEEKS AND IS CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE.
OWNERS OF FISHING VESSELS USING RADIO-TELEPHONY EQUIPMENT WHICH WILL COST BETWEEN $15 000 AND $20 000 PER INSTALLATION ARE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED BY THE POST OFFICE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, AT A FEE OF $50 A YEAR.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SYSTEM, LICENSING AND EXAMINATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
THE CONTROLLER (MARITIME SERVICES)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH
POST OFFICE HEADQUARTERS
CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL
HONG KONG.
TEL: 5-2671157
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