XN000022-1995-11-22 — Page 19

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Conversion of fishing vessels into cargo ships

Following is a question by the Hon James To and a reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is known that on 20 April 1995 a wooden fishing vessel which has been converted into a cargo carrier capsized in the waters off the Lamma Island, resulting in the death of two crew members. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the estimated number of wooden fishing vessels in the territory which have been converted into cargo carriers;

(b) whether those wooden fishing vessels which have been converted into cargo carriers are required to undergo an "inclining test" for determining their maximum loading capacity to ensure their stable navigation; if not, why not; and

(c) of the number of shipwrecks involving such wooden fishing vessels in the past three years?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a) Applications for the conversion of wooden fishing vessels into cargo ships are rather uncommon in Hong Kong. 20 such cases have been approved by the Director of Marine during the past 30 years.

(b) When an owner of a wooden fishing vessel wishes to convert that vessel for the carriage of cargo, no stability assessment test has hitherto been required by the Marine Department.