XN000022-1977-08-02 — Page 7

JUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1977

LAUNCH CREWS MUST BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES

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A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED OWNERS, MASTERS AND CREW OF PASSENGER LAUNCHES AND FERRIES OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR TRAINING IN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND MUSTERS AND DRILLS.

+OWNERS AND MASTERS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE IR PASSENGERS AND CREW IN AN EVERGENCY.

*OWNERS ARE TO ENSURE THAT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ARE LAID DOWN AND THAT CREWS ARE ADEQUATELY TRAINED IN THEIR DUTIES, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT MUSTERS AND DRILLS SHOULD BE PRACTISED AT FREQUENT REGULAR INTERVALS AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER A MAJOR CHANGE OF CREW.

+THE MUSTER AND DRILL IS TO BE SC ARRANGED AS TO ENSURE THAT THE CREN THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND AND ARE PRACTISED IN THE DUTIES THEY HAVE TO PERFORM,+ HE SAID.

THEIR DUTIES INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN THE MUSTER OF PASSENGERS, DONNING OF LIFE JACKETS, HANDLING AND OPERATION OF LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT AND FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES, CLOSING OF FUEL VALVES, FIRE DOORS AND SHUTTERS, VENTILATORS AND FANS.

COPIES OF LIFE JACKET DONNING INSTRUCTIONS, SUITABLY PROTECTED FROM DAMAGE, SHOULD BE POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY IN BOTH PASSENGER AND CRE SPACES.

+THE MASTER OF THE VESSEL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRACTICE OF MUSTERS AND DRILLS AND IS TO ENSURE THAT EACH CREW MEMBER KNOWS HIS ASSIGNED EMERGENCY DUTIES WELL.

+THE MASTER IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT KEPT ON BOARD IS MAINTAINED IN AN EFFICIENT CONDITION READY FOR IMEDIATE USE,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A PRACTICE MUSTER AND DRILL BY THE COMPLETE CREW WOULD BE WITNESSED BY A SURVEYOR OR AN INSPECTOR OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AT THE FINAL SURVEY BEFORE A CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY IS ISSUED.

IN ADDITION, A MUSTER LIST, CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE DUTIES ASSIGNED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE CREW IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, SHOULD BE DRAWN UP AND DISPLAYED CONSPICUOUSLY IN THE NAVIGATING BRIDGE, CREW QUARTERS AND PASSENGER SPACES.

HOWEVER, DUE TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF CREW MEMBERS, A MUSTER LIST MIGHT BE UNNECESSARY FOR SMALL OPEN VESSELS OPERATING WITHU, CLASS I PLYING LIMITS, HE ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE SAFETY PRACTICES MUST OBSERVED BY VESSELS LICENSED UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LAUNCHE AND FERRY VESSELS) REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED EY PART XIII OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG REGISTERED VESSELS ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (MUSTERS) RULES 1988.

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