XN000022-1990-09-21 — Page 6

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1990

MR O'NEIL WAS TOLD THAT THE IMO'S CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS 1978 (STCW) WAS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG IN 1984.

SINCE THEN HONG KONG HAS UNDERTAKEN ALL STEPS NECESSARY ΤΟ GIVE THE CONVENTION FULL AND COMPLETE EFFECT TO ENSURE THAT FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF SAFETY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY AT SEA, SEAFARERS ON BOARD SHIPS ARE QUALIFIED AND FIT FOR THEIR DUTIES. THIS INCLUDES THE OBLIGATION TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION.

WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) HAS ESTABLISHED THE SEAMEN'S AT TAI LAM CHUNG.

THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

IN ADDITION, THE VTC FURTHER PROVIDES TRAINING FOR DECK AND ENGINEERING OFFICERS IN THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN HUNG HOM.

IN THE AFTERNOON, MR O'NEIL TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY VIEWS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND VESSEL TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE AND MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.

ΤΟ EXCHANGE VISITED THE

MR O'NEIL WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) NIGHT AFTER A SIX-DAY VISIT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING MR O'NEIL'S VISIT ΤΟ THE SEAMEN'S TRAINING CENTRE AT TAI LAM CHUNG WILL BE BOXED.

TIGHTER CONTROL OVER SMOKE EMISSION

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (SMOKE) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AS A MOVE ΤΟ TIGHTEN CONTROL OVER THE EMISSION OF DARK SMOKE FROM CHIMNEYS AND FURNACES IN THE TERRITORY.

THE REGULATIONS, WHICH TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT, WERE MADE ΤΟ SPECIFY A MORE STRINGENT STANDARD ON SMOKE EMISSION AS WELL AS ΤΟ INCREASE THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF THE LEGISLATION BY RAISING THE LEVEL OF PENALTY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN HONG KONG THERE WERE ABOUT 10,000 USERS OF STEAM BOILERS, STOVES, INCINERATORS, VARIOUS FURNACES AND ENGINES, INCLUDING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, RESTAURANTS, LAUNDRIES, HOTELS AND HOSPITALS.

BUILDINGS

THE EMISSION OF DARK SMOKE LEADS TO SOILING OF THE ENVIRONMENT, REDUCTION OF VISIBILITY AND DEPOSIT OF SOOTY MATERIALS ON AND CLOTHINGS.

/IN THE