XN000022-1986-05-30 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1986

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE PROXIMITY OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND AIRCRAFT FLIGHT PATHS TO HIGHLY POPULATED URBAN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT COMPLIANCE WITH THE ANNEX IN ITSELF WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO REDUCE AIRCRAFT NOISE TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.

+FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, CONTROL HAS BEEN IMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ÖVER OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND THE PERIODS FOR AIRCRAFT TO LAND OR TAKE OFF AT THE AIRPORT, HE SAID,

+ IT IS CONSIDERED THAT NOW IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME THAT THE AUTHORITY FOR SUCH CONTROLS BE FORMALLY EMBODIED IN LEGISLATION.+

THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.

COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR TO UMELCO AT JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.

BILL TO IMPROVE COMPETENCE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

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THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE AND REFINE THE PRESENT CERTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY TO CREWS ON LICENSED VESSELS.

THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, GAZETTED TODAY, AIMS TO GIVE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WIDER RULE-MAKING POWERS IN THIS RESPECT.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRESENT TWO-TIER CERTIFICATE STRUCTURE REGARDING PLEASURE VESSELS WAS INTRODUCED ADMINISTRATIVELY BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN 1982 TO REPLACE THE SINGLE-CERTIFICATE STRUCTURE, MAINLY FOR SAFETY REASONS AND TO REDUCE THE MANNING PROBLEMS FOR LARGE PLEASURE CRAFT.

THE NEW RULE-MAKING POWERS WILL ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO FORMALLY ESTABLISH THIS TWO-TIER CERTIFICATION SYSTEM BY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION.

THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS IN THE BILL FOR THE NECESSARY EXAMINATIONS, SYLLABUSES, AND OTHER RELATED DETAILS, INCLUDING PROVISIONS REGARDING EXPIRY OF VALIDITY, RENEWAL, REPLACEMENT AND SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 4.

COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OR THE UMELCO OFFICE AT JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.

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