ENG-1959 — Page 300

COMMUNICATIONS

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but is advisable due to large-scale reclamation and harbour-works now in progress.

There is a Quarantine Examination Anchorage at each entrance, with Port Health launches on duty from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Western Quarantine Anchorage and from 7 a.m. to mid-night at the Eastern Quarantine Anchorage. Radio pratique can be granted in certain cases. This arrangement eliminates unnecessary move- ments within the crowded Harbour. Immigration formalities and such customs inspections as may be necessary are also completed at quarantine anchorages so that passengers are free to go ashore as soon as vessels have reached their final berth.

Three Signal Stations provide Ship/shore communications. Each station is manned continuously and fitted with modern day-light signal lamps providing coverage for all anchorages within the Harbour and its approaches. In addition, Waglan Lighthouse operates a Signal Station equipped with a radiotelephone which enables the first information of all vessels sighted in the eastern approaches to be passed immediately to the Port Authorities, owners and agents. Radiotelephones are also installed in Marine, Port Health, Police, Preventive Service and Fire Fighting launches. Sets may also be hired commercially with a direct connexion to the land telephone system.

The internal security of the Harbour and the waters of the Colony is maintained by the Marine Division of the Hong Kong Police which mans and operates a fleet of thirty Police Launches, twenty seven of which are in radiotelephone communication with the Control Room at Police Headquarters.

The Fire Brigade maintains a modern ocean-going fire float in constant readiness, together with other fire fighting craft suitable for work in the shallower waters of the Colony. A new shallow- draught fire float was recently put into service.

Regular services are maintained by 18 shipping lines to Europe and the United Kingdom, 20 to the North American continent and 9 to Australia and New Zealand besides lines to Africa and South America, and innumerable lines to Asian ports from Yokohama to Karachi. Moreover the attractive and efficient facilities available for the handling of cargo and passengers in the Port have con- vinced traders that it is economical and generally beneficial to

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