33
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS BASED IN HONG KONG WHICH PROCEED ON SHORT VOYAGES WITHOUT CALLING AT ANOTHER PORT POSSESS VALID SAFETY CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (SOLAS).
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT THE SAFETY OF THESE SHIPS NEEDED TO BE FURTHER GUARANTEED FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, MRS CHAN SAID.
FIRST,
THESE SHIPS ARE REMOTE FROM THE CONTROL OF THEIR FLAG STATE ADMINISTRATIONS, WHO MAY NOT BE WELL PLACED TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION, MRS CHAN EXPLAINED.
SECONDLY, SUCH SHIPS IN EFFECT OPERATE ON A LOCAL BASIS AND CARRY LARGE NUMBERS OF HONG KONG PASSENGERS WHO NATURALLY LOOK TO THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A POSITIVE ROLE IN ENSURING THEIR SAFETY.
SHE SAID ONE FURTHER COMPLICATION WAS THAT CERTIFICATES UNDER SOLAS WERE ONLY VALID FOR INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES, I.E., FROM ONE PORT TO ANOTHER.
"IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER SUCH CERTIFICATES WHEN USED IN OF NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES ARE VALID, THE SECRETARY SAID.
14
ISSUED VOYAGES
RESPECT
AND
THIS UNCERTAINTY IS NOT HELPED BY THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, WHICH DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SHIPS ENGAGED ON INTERNATIONAL NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES, MRS CHAN NOTED.
MRS CHAN SAID THE FIRST AIM OF THE BILL THUS WAS TO REMOVE THE LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES BY CLEARLY PROVIDING THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WITH SPECIFIC POWERS TO CONDUCT SAFETY SURVEYS ON FOREIGN REGISTERED VESSELS ENGAGED IN NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES FROM HONG KONG.
THE SECOND AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFICATES OR DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF CARGO SHIPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLIED WITH EQUIVALENT SAFETY STANDARDS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO SEA.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION SUCH VESSELS ARE NOT PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OF SAFETY BEFORE CLEARING HONG KONG.
REQUIRED ΤΟ
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/34