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Governor briefed on measures to enhance navigation safety
The Governor, The Rt Hon Christopher Patten, was today (Wednesday) briefed on the measures the Marine Department had taken to reduce navigational risks in the central part of the Victoria Harbour during his visit to the department.
Met on arrival by the Director of Marine, Mr Allan Pyrke, and the Deputy Director of Marine, Mr Ian Dale, Mr Patten first took a tour at the Vessel Traffic Centre located at the Macau Ferry Terminal.
He was shown how the centre uses an advanced system of radar and radio links to regulate ocean going traffic.
Thereafter he reviewed a "sail past" of a selection of the department's fleet ranging from patrol to oil pollution responses vessels.
Mr Patten concluded his visit by touring a mini-exhibition featuring the activities and achievements of the six operational divisions of the Marine Department and met a broad selection of operational staff involved in these activities.
Mr Patten was told that the Marine Department had introduced a number of measures to minimise navigational risks in what the public perceived as a "shrinking harbour" and was given an overview of other proposals that were planned.
In particular, he was advised that the Marine Department was seeking funds of about $10 million to carry out a navigational risk assessment consultancy which could lead to the setting up of new fairways and marine traffic arrangements to reduce risk and enhance traffic flow patterns.
Mr Pyrke told the Governor that his department is in the process of completely reorganising the patrol services of the port by redeployment of its existing craft and the acquisition of new ones so that more emphasis can be given to the safe navigation control of ferries and other small craft using the waters of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is the world's busiest port for both large and small vessels and the busiest in term of container throughput. One vessel enters or leaves Hong Kong every 1.5 minutes; one container box is loaded or unloaded every 30 seconds and one passenger leaves or enters Hong Kong by sea every 1.6 seconds.