ENG-1960 — Page 275

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COMMUNICATIONS

that the Port is always open. The harbour is well lit and singularly free from submerged dangers. Pilotage is not compulsory but is advisable because of the large scale reclamation and harbour works in progress.

Quarantine, immigration and customs formalities take place at the Eastern or Western Quarantine anchorages, the former being served by Port Health launches from 7 a.m. until midnight and the latter from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. In certain cases radio pratique may be granted. This arrangement, apart from reducing the number of movements within the busy part of the harbour, is popular with passengers and consignees for it means that disembarkation and cargo work may begin immediately the ship is berthed.

Three signal stations, manned continuously, maintain ship-shore communications in the harbour and approaches. Waglan lighthouse also operates a signal station which enables first information of vessels sighted in the eastern approaches to be passed to the Port Authorities, owners and agents. Navigational warnings and distress or weather messages are passed through the Marine Radio system. Marine Officers are available at all times to deal with queries or in- cidents within the waters of the Colony and the China Sea area. Radiotelephones are installed in Marine, Port Health, Police, Fire Brigade and Preventive Service launches, and sets may be hired commercially with a direct connexion to the public telephone service.

The internal security of the harbour and Colony waters is in the hands of the Marine Division of the Hong Kong Police which mans and operates a fleet of 28 launches.-

The Port possesses one of the largest fire floats in the world, the Alexander Grantham, which is kept in constant readiness by the Hong Kong Fire Brigade. In addition other, smaller, fire floats are maintained for duties inside the main harbour and the smaller ports of the Colony. The new fire fighting craft which came into service last year has already proved itself on a number of occasions.

Hong Kong's geographical location and its reputation for speed and efficiency were responsible for the continued high level of port activity, more than ten thousand ocean going vessels entering and clearing during the year. Transhipment cargo now accounts for ap- proximately one-third of the cargo handled at Hong Kong and the Port still fulfils an important role as the warehouse of the Far