TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 99

Speech by Mr G.A. Higginson, Secretary for Economic Services, in the Legislative Council on 15 May 1985

Pilotage (Amendment) Bill 1985

Sir,

I move that the Pilotage (Amendment) Bill 1985 be

read the second time.

2.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Pilotage

Ordinance to provide for compulsory pilotage for ships

navigating within Hong Kong waters.

3.

The majority of ocean-going ships in the port of

Hong Kong already use the services of pilots on a voluntary

basis. However, in view of the increasing number, speed and

size of such ships, it is desirable to insist that they do

so. This requirement, which reflects the high level of

activity in the port, will improve safety and efficiency.

4.

The Bill declares the waters of Hong Kong to be a

pilotage area and requires compulsory pilotage in those

waters for all ships specified in the First Schedule. The

Bill also exempts certain categories of ships from compulsory

pilotage and empowers the Director of Marine, as the Pilotage

Authority, to exempt certain other ships should circumstances