ENG-1961 — Page 288

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COMMUNICATIONS

Department on Waglan Island. The nearer approaches to the harbour are well covered by shore lights, fog signals and light buoys fitted with radar reflectors, and entry may be made to the Port in all weathers and at any time of the day or night. Vessels enter the harbour, which is well lit and singularly free from sub- merged dangers, by Lei Yue Mun in the east with drafts of up to 36 feet, by Sulphur Channel in the west with drafts of 28 feet or south of Stonecutters Island, again with drafts of 28 feet. Pilotage is not compulsory, but is advisable due to the density of harbour traffic.

Unhappily, at the beginning of the year, on 18th April 1961, the Hong Kong registered ship 'China Fir' outward-bound at night for Japan with a cargo of iron ore from Marmagao, went aground on a rocky islet on the eastern side of the Tathong Channel and was eventually declared a constructive total loss. Salvage attempts to remove the wreck and the cargo continued throughout the year and achieved partial success when a detached section comprising two-thirds of the wreck was refloated in October.

On the 17th November 1961, seven months after the stranding of the 'China Fir' the Panamanian registered vessel 'Dennis l' also outward-bound at night but in ballast, ran aground between the shore on the eastern side of the Tathong Channel and the islet on which lay the 'China Fir'. The operations of a local salvage company were successful in refloating the 'Dennis l' within three weeks of her stranding.

Quarantine and immigration formalities take place at the Eastern or Western Quarantine anchorages. Port Health and Immigration Department launches are on duty in the Eastern anchorage from 7 a.m. to midnight and in the Western anchorage from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Radio pratique may be granted to vessels arriving from non-infected ports. 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.

A Marine Department signal station at Waglan Island enables first sighting reports of vessels in the Eastern approaches to be passed to Port Control, owners or agents in the harbour area.