XN000022-1981-11-25 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1981

COMPULSORY HARBOUR PILOTAGE PLANNED ******

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR D.G. JEAFFRESON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO START TO PHASE ! WITHIN THE COING THREE YEARS, THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE OF ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG WATERS.

THE PHASE IN WILL START WITH SUCH VESSELS CARRYING HAZARDOUS CARGOES AS OIL TANKERS AND L.P.G. CARRIERS.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY MR WONG LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WAS PREPARING DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE, WITH THE INTENTION THAT THE AMENDMENTS BE PASSED INTO LAW WHEN THE HONG KONG PILOTS ASSOCIATION HAS TRAINED SUFFICIENT HARBOUR PILOTS TO MAKE THIS FEASIBLE.

PILOTS IN HONG KONG ARE EMPLOYED BY THE HONG KONG PILOTS ASSOCIATION, OF WHICH THEY BECOME MEMBERS, HE EXPLAINED.

THE IDEA OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE WAS ENDORSED IN 1978 AND THE ASSOCIATION WAS ENCOURAGED TO TRAIN MORE PILOTS FOR THIS.

AS A RESULT THE NUMBER OF LICENSED HARBOUR PILOTS INCREASED STEADILY FROM 27 IN 1976 TO 40 IN 1981 IN ADDITION TO TWO APPRENTICE PILOTS ON THE REGISTER. THEY ARE NOW BEING EMPLOYED ON 95 PER CENT OF ALL OCEAN-GOING SHIPS ENTERING AND LEAVING THE HARBOUR.

HE SAID IT WAS LATER AGREED WITH THE PILOTS ASSOCIATION THAT THE BOUNDARY OF THE AREA IN WHICH SHIPS HAVE TO USE PILOTS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO PO TOI SO AS TO INCLUDE THE EAST LAMMA CHANNEL.

+THIS WILL INVOLVE THE PILOTS IN THE PURCHASE OF AT LEAST TWO AND POSSIBLY FOUR ALL-WEATHER LAUNCHES. IT WILL ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PILOTS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE COMPULSORY PILOTAGE, + HE SAID.

MR JEAFFRESON ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE INCIDENTS INVOLVING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS IN COLLISION OR GROUNDING (OTHER THAN IN TYPHOONS) SHOW THAT MOST TOOK PLACE WHEN THERE WERE NO PILOTS ON BOARD.

+SO THE INCREASE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF PILOTS ALONE SHOULD HELP TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS, EVEN IF WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO MAKE PILOTAGE COMPULSORY, HE SAID.

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