XN000022-1981-07-17 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1981

MERCHANT SHIPPING (PLEASURE VESSELS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1981

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IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND IMPROVED CONTROL AT SEA AND TO COMBAT THE CONTINUING THREAT POSED BY THE USE OF SPEEDBOATS

TO BRING IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, NEW REGULATIONS RELATING TO PLEASURE CRAFT ARE PUBLISHED TODAY.

THESE REGULATIONS APPLY TO PLEASURE CRAFT BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE WATER. THEY WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 17.

THEY ARE PART OF THE MEASURES INTRODUCED UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1981 WHICH WAS ENACTED LAST WEEK AFTER APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY ARE INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT PLEASURE CRAFT ARE PROPERLY LICENSED AND OPERATED, ARE INSURED AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS AND ARE MORE EASILY

IDENTIFIABLE.

THE CHANGES MADE UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS ARE:

(A)

(B)

AN INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE LICENCE NUMBER/LETTERS TO 300 MM, TO BE PAINTED AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE MIDSHIPS (THIS IS IN ORDER TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFICATION OF VESSELS). THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO DISPLAY THE NUMBER WILL BE INCREASED.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS, OF PARTICULARS OF THE VESSEL AND OF OWNERSHIP, CHARTERING AND REMOVAL MUST BE REPORTED WITHIN 3 DAYS, INSTEAD OF 7 DAYS, AS IN THE PAST.

(C) OTHER PENALTY INCREASES INCLUDE

FAILURE TO REPORT CHANGES RELATING TO PLEASURE VESSELS OR IN THE OWNERSHIP OR CHARTERING OF THEM-

USING THE VESSEL WITHOUT HAVING ON BOARD THE HOLDER OF A LOCAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE TO ACT AS MASTER AND ENGINEER OR WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT AND

PERMITTING A PLEASURE CRAFT TO BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES, INCLUDING HIRE OR CARRIAGE OF FARE PAYING PASSENGERS,

(D) AN UNLICENSED VESSEL, WHETHER IN OR OUT

OF THE WATER, MAY BE SEIZED AND HELD UNTIL IT IS LICENSED OR ITS RELEASE ORDERED BY A MAGISTRATE. THE OWNER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY REMOVAL AND STORAGE CHARGES. ANY VESSEL NOT RECLAIMED WITHIN 3 MONTHS WILL BE DISPOSED OF.

COMMENTING ON THESE MEASURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MAJORITY OF PLEASURE VESSEL OWNERS COMPLIED WITH THE EXISTING PROVISIONS AND NO DOUBT WOULD COMPLY WITH THE REVISED REGULATIONS. HOWEVER, THE EXTENT OF ILLEGAL SPEEDBOAT OPERATION WAS SUCH THAT MORE SEVERE PENALTIES AND CERTAIN OTHER MEASURES WERE REQUIRED TO DETER THIS TRAFFIC.