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العربية
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FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1985
UNDER PRESENT PLANNING, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR COMPULSORY PILOTAGE WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL SHIPS OVER 5 000 GRT IN 1987 AND TO SHIPS OVER 1 000 GRT IN 1989.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE OF SHIPS WAS TO IMPROVE CONTROL OVER SHIPPING AND TO IMPROVE SAFETY.
AT PRESENT, SOME 95 PER CENT OF ALL OCEAN GOING SHIPS OVER 10 000 GRT ENTERING OR LEAVING HONG KONG HARBOUR USE THE SERVICES OF PILOTS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASING NUMBER AND SIZE OF OCEAN GOING VESSELS ENTERING THE PORT EACH YEAR; INCREASING SILTING OF CERTAIN AREAS OF THE HARBOUR; THE TRAFFIC FLOW TO AND FROM THE CONTAINER TERMINALS, THE OIL BERTHS, AND THE POWER STATIONS, REQUIRED THAT ALL VESSELS SHOULD HAVE PILOTS ON BOARD.
+A MAJOR GROUNDING OR COLLISION COULD HAVE REPERCUSSIONS ON TRADING AVENUES AND ALL PRACTICAL MEANS TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING SHOULD BE ADOPTED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT SHIPS FROM COMPULSORY PILOTAGE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE MAY EXEMPT CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF SHIPS FROM COMPULSORY PILOTAGE. THEY INCLUDE FERRIES AND DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT (EG HYDROFOILS) OPERATING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU AND PEARL RIVER PORTS AND SHIPS CARRYING OUT CABLE LAYING OR SALVAGE WORK.
+THE EXEMPTION IS BASED ON THE GROUND THAT MASTERS AND COXSWAINS OF SUCH CRAFT ARE EXPECTED TO BE TOTALLY FAMILIAR WITH LOCAL CONDITIONS AND ADEQUATE MEASURES ARE ALREADY BUILT IN TO THE LICENSING OF BOTH PERSONNEL AND CRAFT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HM SHIPS, THOSE USED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND VESSELS LICENSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO OPERATE SOLELY IN HONG KONG WATERS ARE ALSO EXEMPT FROM THIS REQUIREMENT.
THE MASTER OF A SHIP WHICH FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE PILOTAGE REQUIREMENT, IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF UP TO $10 000 OR DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF THE PILOTAGE DUE WHICHEVER IS HIGHER.
THE PILOTAGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 15.
PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12/F, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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