XN000022-1995-04-26 — Page 45

(a)

(b)

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the Marine Department will adopt any special measures to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents; and

the Marine Department has any contingency plans to deal with such accidents?

Reply:

Mr President,

The Director of Marine is inquiring into the causes of the two recent collision incidents involving passenger catamarans. Only one of those incidents occurred within Hong Kong waters; the other occurred within Chinese waters. In the light of the outcome of those inquiries, the Administration will implement all necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents.

The Director of Marine has already implemented a number of proactive measures to minimise the risk of collisions. These include the establishment and realignment of fairways, the stepping up of harbour patrols, augmenting the regulations and procedures of the vessel traffic system and the establishment of additional local traffic control stations. These measures have already improved the regulation of traffic flow in the harbour. For the future, a new Marine Control Station at Ma Wan is to be commissioned in June and an additional 24-hour harbour patrol team will be deployed later this year to step up surveillance and harbour control. A longer term strategy for the management of Hong Kong waters is being developed in conjunction with a comprehensive study on marine navigational issues which we propose to start later in the year.

As regards contingency planning, comprehensive plans are in place. For example, in the event of accidents, the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre co- ordinates rescue operations in conjunction with the Marine Police who may call upon support as necessary from the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service and such other specialist services as may be necessary.

End/Wednesday, April 26, 1995