XN000022-1972-12-15 — Page 2

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Friday, December 15, 1972

HEAVIER PENALTIES TO COMBAT SEA POLLUTION

Higher Fines And Jail Sentences Proposed

Amending legislation to combat pollution of Hong Kong waters

and to improve the disciplinary measures and recruiting operation of

seamon will soon be introduced into the Legislative Council.

The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 mainly provides

for heavier penalties for offences connected with sea pollution; while

the Merchant Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) (Amendment) Bill 1972 deals

with recruiting of seamen and discipline as well.

Both amending bills are published in today's Government Gazette

for general information.

The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill 1972 makes it an offence

to discharge oil, whether from land or ships, or to deposit without the

permission of the Director of Marine substances other than oil, into Hong

Kong waters.

Any person found guilty of the offence is liable on conviction

to a fine of $20,000 and to imprisonment of six months.

Whore oil is discharged from a vessel, the owner, master, agent

or charterer will be liable; and where it is discharged from a place on

land, the occupier or the owner will be liable.

The bill

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