XN000022-1987-05-22 — Page 16

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1987

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REVIEW ON CONTROL AND LICENSING OF CRAFT UNDER WAY

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EXISTING REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE LICENSING AND CONTROL OF LOCAL CRAFT UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE WILL BE AMENDED, OR REPLACED BY NEW LEGISLATION.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE MR DERICK HALL, WHILE ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH TODAY (FRIDAY).

MR HALL NOTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF LICENSING LOCAL CRAFT WAS TO ENSURE ADEQUATE SAFETY STANDARDS AND TO MONITOR AND REGULATE THE OPERATION OF VESSELS. IT WAS ALSO A DEVICE FOR RECOVERING THE COSTS OF PROVIDING VARIOUS MARINE SERVICES.

HE, HOWEVER, ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE EXISTING MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS GOVERNING LAUNCHES AND FERRY VESSELS, MISCELLANEOUS CRAFT AND PLEASURE VESSELS WERE ARCHAIC+ +LACKED PRECISION+ AND WERE LARGELY INCOMPREHENSIVE TO NEWCOMERS FROM OVERSEAS+.

HE SAID THIS WAS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO HONG KONG'S LEGISLATION REGARDING INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (AT EIGHT MILLION TONS GROSS REGISTERED TONNAGE HONG KONG HAS THE 11TH LARGEST REGISTRY IN THE WORLD) WHICH WAS BY AND LARGE UP TO THE MINUTE AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT IN OPERATION.

+WE THEREFORE INTEND TO CARRY OUT A ZERO-BASE REVIEW WITH THE INTENTION OF PRODUCING A SYSTEM BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM, CONSISTENT WITH SAFETY AND GOOD ORDER, SAID MR HALL.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE AN OPEN MIND ON THE MATTER AND WOULD WELCOME IDEAS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR, THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL AND PLEASURE VESSEL COMMUNITY.

HE SAID AN OFFICER WOULD BE APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT THE REVIEW OF LICENSING POLICY, TO CONSIDER THE VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES AND TO PRODUCE PROPOSALS.

REGULATIONS CONCERNING STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MANNING WOULD, HOWEVER, BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NEW TECHNICAL POLICY DIVISION TO BE FORMED IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED.

ANOTHER FUNCTION OF THE NEW TECHNICAL POLICY DIVISION WOULD BE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SETTING UP AND OPERATION OF THE NEW SHIPPING REGISTER.

/MK HALL