TNAG-1926-FCO40-2742-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Liaison-Group-sub-gro-1989 — Page 117

CONFIDENTIAL

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Governments

benefit will certainly become more important as the number

of such ships continues to grow. The number is expected

to grow because the International Convention for Safety of

Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS Convention), which applies to Hong

Kong, was amended at a Conference of Contracting

convened by the International Maritime

Organization and held in London from 31 October to 11

November 1988. As so amended, Article I, and Chapter IV

of the Annex to the SOLAS Convention (and in particular

Part C, Regulation 10) will make the carriage of satellite

communication equipment one of

of two alternative mandatory

requirements for ships of certain categories, i.e., cargo

ships of gross tonnage exceeding 300 tons and all

passenger ships engaged on international voyages on routes

beyond the

coverage

of Very-High-Frequency and

Medium-Frequency radio stations but within the coverage of

INMARSAT satellites.

17.

When INMARSAT services are later extended to

aircraft, aircraft registered in Hong Kong will also be

able to make use of these services. In this area also a

speedy procedure can be expected to be of benefit to

applicants.

Proposals

18.

is no need for any

Since the PRC is a party to the Convention, there

action to be taken to secure the