XN000022-1983-07-15 — Page 13

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 1983

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PLEASURE CRAFT OWNERS REMINDED ABOUT LAW

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A MARINE POLICE SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED OWNERS OF PLEASURE CRAFT THAT THEY MUST COMPLY WITH THE VARIOUS REGULATIONS ON SAFETY AT SEA AND SPEED LIMITS.

UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (SPEED RESTRICTED ZONES FOR PLEASURE VESSELS) REGULATIONS 1981, A SPEED LIMIT OF FIVE KNOTS IS IMPOSED IN A NUMBER OF AREAS IN HONG KONG WATERS.

THESE INCLUDE AREAS NEAR ALL GAZETTED BEACHES WHERE SPEEDING BOATS MAY EN DANGER THE LIVES OF SWIMMERS.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PLEASURE VESSELS) REGULATIONS WHICH STIPULATE THAT, WHILE SAILING, ALL PLEASURE CRAFT MUST HAVE A CERTIFICATED MASTER AND AN ENGINEER ON BOARD. THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES THAT PLEASURE VESSELS MUST BE INSURED AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS.

**TO ENFORCE THESE REGULATIONS, WE CARRY OUT DAILY SPOT CHECKS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO SEE IF THE CRAFT

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ARE FITTED WITH ADEQUATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND IF THEY SATISFY LICENSING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ON SPEEDING, HE NOTED THAT THE MARINE POLICE AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WERE WORKING CLOSELY ON THE USE OF RADAR TO DETECT SUCH OFFENCES AND TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR PROSECUTION.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, SUSTAINED POLICE EFFORT IN ENFORCING THE LAW HAS RESULTED IN SUMMONS ACTION BEING TAKEN IN 59 CASES AGAINST PLEASURE CRAFT WHICH HAD NO MASTER OR ENGINEER ON BOARD. FIVE OWNERS WERE SUMMONSED FOR NOT HAVING ADEQUATE LIFE-SAVING OR FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.

THE MASTER OF A 'KAI TO WHICH COLLIDED WITH A CANOE IN HALF MOON BAY IN SAI KUNG LAST SUNDAY WAS CHARGED WITH EN DAN GER ING LIFE AT SEA.

A NUMBER OF OTHERS HAD BEEN WARNED FOR SPEEDING AND OTHER MINOR OFFENCES.

MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED OWNERS OF LARGER TYPE PLEASURE CRAFT THAT THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT CREW MEMBERS WERE PROPERLY LICENSED FOR THE VARIOUS TYPES OF VESSELS.

HE ALSO APPEALED TO ALL PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATORS TO OBSERVE THE SAFETY CODE EVEN WHEN THEY ARE SAILING OUTSIDE RESTRICTED ZONES.

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