CO129-613-8 Reports on Kwang Tung incident 1-2-1948 - 2-6-1948 — Page 12

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(vi) I am aware that many passengers on river vessels have been in the habit of carrying packages of commoditics, of the nature of which they are posibly ignorant. Evidenco given in the rcccnt inquiry into the "Kwang Tung" disaster revealed that commoditics listed in Ordinance 1 of 1873 as dangerous goods had been carried on board without the Master's knowledge Attention is therefore drawn to the penaltics proscribed by Section 15 of Ordinance 10 of 1899 for this offence, and to the following cxtract from the recommendations of the Marinc Court which enquired into the "Kwang Tung" casualty:-

"In the detection of dangerous goods, the Authoritics are entitlcd

to the full co-operation of the Master and Crow who should also maintain a constant and close watch for any goods of a suspicious nature"

Crows of all river vessels must accordingly bc instructed to report immediately to the Master the presence among passengers' luggage of any commodity which they suspect to be dangerous. The attention of all persons on board shall also be drawn, by notices prominently displayed, to the provisions of Ordinance 10 of 1899, Table M Reg. 36 which prohibits tho usc of naked and portable lights aboard any vessel in the waters of the Colony. Any reported breaches of this regulation will be regarded with the utmost soverity.

3c The procedure outlined in sub-paragraphs (1), (ii), (v) & (vi) is to be followed by all river steamers and that in (iii) & (iv) is to bc followed by all rivor steamers holding a passenger certificate. The co-operation of Mastors and owners of river vessels is requested in order to ensure that the preparatory work is carried out as expeditiously as possible and the foregoing methods of controlling passengers end their baggage arc in full operation not Inter than 1st. April, 1948.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

Director of Maring

6/3/48.

This period may be extended as follows:

Where a vessel is expected to carry between 400 and 700 passengers

3 hours.

Where a vessel is expected to carry more than 700 passengers hours.

Copies to:-

Messrs. Butterfield & Swirc.

Kwangsi Navigation Co.

"

Fung Choung Ship Co.

Messrs John Manners & Co.,Ltd.

Colonial Navigation & Trading Co.

Hop Kwan Hong.

Overseas Navigation Co.

Tung Hing Ship Co.

Messrs. Mollers' (H. K.) Ltd.

Mow Sang Co.

Yau Choong Ship Co.

Wo Hing Steam Ship Co.

Ming Sang Co.

Wo Cheung Fat. Wan Tung & Co. Cheong Fung Hong