XN000022-1973-06-25 — Page 10

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Monday, June 25, 1973

REDUCING THE RISK OF COLLISIONS

The Marine Department has appealed to masters of vessels waiting

to enter Hong Kong not to place their ships or crews at unnecessary risk by

remaining too close to the main port approaches during the night.

Vessels intending to arrive within the port at first light, a

spokespan said, should not approach closer than 25 miles of Waglan Island

until such time as they can proceed at normal full speed, without undue

danger, to the position where pilots normally board.

"Fog, mist and heavy rain can quickly reduce visibility in the

approaches to the Tathong and East Lamma Channels, increasing the collision

risk which already exists in those areas," the spokesman warned.

He advised masters of vessels to time their arrival in Hong Kong so

that they could embark pilots immediately on arrival.

Vessels which did not engage the services of a pilot, he said,

should proceed directly to a quarantine and immigration anchorage to await

clearance if this had not already been obtained.

Notices have been sent to ship owners and agents requesting them to

pass on this advice to masters of vessels for which they are responsible.

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