XN000022-1972-11-17 — Page 9

Friday, November 17, 1972

SHIPS MUST BE MANNED BY SUFFICIENT CREW

The Marine Department is stepping up its efforts to crack down

on ships which do not have on board sufficient number of crew to ensure

its safety while in port.

A spokesman said that vessels, depending on their size, were

expected to have on board a specified number of crew, including competent

officers, in case of emergencies such as fire or the vessel dragging her

anchor onto other vessels or port facilities.

He pointed out that in a recent court case, the master of a ship

was fined $800 for failing to have on board enough members of the crew

capable of carrying out duties to ensure the ship's safety.

In fact, the spokesman continued, on an inspection by the Marine

Department Harbour Service patrol officers, it was found that no officer

or crew were on board at all,

"The only people on board were four fitters employed from a shore

contractor to carry out minor repairs."

The magistrate hearing the case, commented that the maximum

fine of $1,000 under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance appeared "insufficient

for offences of this nature".

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