XN000022-1977-04-06 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1977

SHIPS CARRYING OVER 2,000 TONS OF "PERSISTENT

OIL" NEED CERTIFICATES

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A SHIP CARRYING MORE THAN 2,000 TONS OF "PERSISTENT OIL IN BULK AS CARGO SHOULD NOT ENTER OR LEAVE HONG KONG UNLESS

IT HAS A CERTIFICATE CONFIRMING THAT INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY IS IN EFFECT IN RESPECT OF THE SHIP.

ACCORDING TO A NOTICE ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, THIS ALSO APPLIES TO A PORT IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY OR A TERMINAL

IN THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF ANY OTHER COUNTRY IF THE SHIP IS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.

THE DIRECTOR DREW THE ATTENTION OF SHIP OWNERS, AGENTS, CHARTERERS AND MASTERS TO THESE PROVISIONS IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (OIL POLLUTION) (HONG KONG) ORDER 1975.

HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR AN OIL TANKER CALLING AT HONG KONG A CERTIFICATE OR NOTIFICATION CONFIRMING THAT AN INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY IS IN FORCE MUST DE PRODUCED FOR INSPECTION.

IN ORDER TO AVOID POSSIBLE DELAY, HE ADVISED SHIP OWNERS, AGENTS OR SHIP CHARTERERS TO NOTIFY THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN WRITING AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE TANKER'S ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL, BERTH, QUANTITY AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE OIL CARGC.

+THEY SHOULD ALSO GIVE US THE NUMBER, THE DATE OF EXPIRY AND ISSUING AUTHORITY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE OR OTHER FINANCIAL SECURITY IN RESPECT OF CIVIL LIABILITY FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE, IF APPLICABLE, HE SAID.

HE WARNED THAT CONTRAVENTION OF THE ORDER WILL RENDER THE MASTER OR OWNER LIABLE ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT, OR ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, TO A FINE UP TO $400,000.

+ADDITIONALLY IF THE VESSEL FAILS TO CARRY, OR THE MASTER OF THE VESSEL FAILS TO PRODUCE A CERTIFICATE, THE MASTER SHALL BE LIABLE ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A FINE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,000.

+A SHIP MAY BE DETAINED IF IT ATTEMPTS TO LEAVE A PORT IN HONG KONG IN CONTRAVENTION OF SECTION 10 OF SCHEDULE I TO THE ORDER, HE ADDED.

COPIES OF THE NOTICE ARE OBTAINABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE ENTRY AND CLEARANCE OFFICE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN ROOM 1036, 10TH FLOOR, RUMSEY STREET MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK.

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