XN000022-1996-05-01 — Page 72

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Fire prevention facilities on passenger ferries

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);

Question:

Reply:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

Mr President,

of the fire prevention facilities currently installed on the passenger ferries of the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited, the Star Ferry Company Limited, and the other locally registered ferries on the Hong Kong/China and Hong Kong/Macau routes; and when the standards of such fire prevention facilities were first prescribed by the Government;

how the authorities concerned ensure that the fire prevention installations on such ferries meet the standards prescribed by the Government; and whether any ferry companies have been prosecuted for breach of the standards, if so, the penalty imposed; and

whether it will review the current standards of fire prevention facilities. applicable to ferries; if so, when the review will be conducted; if not, why not?

The legislation covering fire prevention facilities on the passenger ferries of the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited and the Star Ferry Company Limited, viz. locally licensed ferries, are different from those for Hong Kong Registered passenger craft on the Hong Kong/China and Hong Kong/Macau routes. The former are governed by local legislation and the latter are governed by international conventions and codes developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The answer is therefore given in two parts.