XN000022-1973-06-14 — Page 3

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Thursday, June 14, 1973

Meanwhile, two shipping safety officers have been appointed

to deal with safety of working conditions and practices and the precautions

to be exercised on board ships. And others are being recruited.

New legislation was introduced in March this year providing

that no repairs on vessels over 300 tons can be undertaken without prior

permission from the Director of Marine. Vessels in the precinats of a

dockyard or floating dry dock are at present excluded from the legislation.

Failure to comply with this renders a person liable on conviction,

to a maximum fine of $4,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The recommendations contained in the guide are to form the basis

on which permission will be given for ship repairs, in addition to any other conditions the Director of Marine may impose.

In order to achieve an acceptable standard of safety, it is imperative that all those concerned in the shipping, shipbuilding and

ship-repair industries obtain copies of the guide.

Ocean-going vessels arriving in Hong Kong for repair for the

first time will also require the safety guide.

Copies of the guide will be on sale at the Government Publications

Centre, Star Forry Concourse, and at the Marine Department reception counter as from tomorrow (Friday) at #3 a copy.

Written in simple English and illustrated, the guide consists of

11 sections, each dealing with a particular aspect of ship safety. The sections are further sub-divided into chapters specifically for management, supervisors and workers.

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