16
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1992
CARGO SHIPS HAVE TO CONFORM WITH CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
* * *
CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1, 1992 ARE REQUIRED TO REQUIREMENTS STIPULATED IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY } AND DAMAGE STABILITY OF CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES REGULATION WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
LENGTH COMPLY
AND WITH
(SUBDIVISION IN LENGTH)
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR SURVEYOR (MULTI-LATERAL POLICY SECTION), MR HO WING-SHING SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) : "THE REGULATION PROVIDES FOR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ON SUBDIVISION, THE TYPE OF OPENINGS IN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BOUNDARIES OF COMPARTMENTS.
NUMBER AND
WATERTIGHT
"IT ALSO REQUIRES STABILITY INFORMATION BASED ON THESE REQUIREMENTS TO BE PROVIDED ON BOARD THE SHIP.
"IT APPLIES TO ALL SEAGOING CARGO SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION LENGTH AND CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR.'
MR HO ADDED THAT WHERE A SHIP DID NOT CONFORM ΤΟ THE CONSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE REGULATION, THE OWNER AND MASTER OF THE SHIP EACH COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AND WAS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $20,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
THE REGULATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
IN MAY 1990, AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 1974 (SOLAS 74) WERE ADOPTED BY THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION
(IMO).
THE AMENDMENTS REQUIRE CARGO SHIPS OVER 100 METRES IN SUBDIVISION LENGTH AND CONSTRUCTED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 1 THIS YEAR TO COMPLY WITH SUBDIVISION AND DAMAGE STABILITY REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE PROBABILITY CONCEPT.
THIS CONCEPT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL AFTER COLLISION AS A MEASURE OF A SHIP'S SAFETY IN A DAMAGED CONDITION.
BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE'S OPERATIONS TO BE STREAMLINED
* + *
THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992. WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE, WAS
GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PRESENT ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS, WHICH REQUIRE ALL RECORDS TO BE PRESERVED ON PAPER INDEFINITELY, IMPOSE SEVERE CONSTRAINTS ON THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SATI.
/TO STREAMLINE