ENG-1962 — Page 298

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COMMUNICATIONS

Vessels enter the harbour by Lei Yue Mun in the east, with depths up to 36 feet, by Sulphur Channel in the west, with depths of 28 feet, or south of Stonecutters Island, also with depths of 28 feet. Although pilotage is not compulsory, it is recommended owing to the density of traffic and the constant reclamation and harbour works.

Quarantine and immigration formalities take place at the eastern or western quarantine anchorages. Port Health and Immigration Department launches are on duty from 7 a.m. to midnight in the eastern anchorage and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the western anchorage. Radio pratique may also be granted in certain cases and this arrangement, apart from reducing the number of move- ments within the busy part of the harbour, is popular with passengers and consignees as it means that disembarkation and cargo work can begin immediately a ship is berthed.

First sighting reports of vessels in the eastern approaches are made from the signal station at Waglan Island and passed to port control, owners and agents. Three other signal stations, manned continuously, report all shipping movements to the port control office and maintain ship-shore communications in the harbour and approaches. Navigational warnings, distress and weather messages are passed through the marine radio system, while marine officers attached to the port control office are available at all times to deal with emergencies and queries.

Radio telephones on a common circuit are installed in the Marine Department signal tower, at Waglan and Green Island lighthouses, at the port control office and in marine and port health launches. Police, Immigration, and Commerce and Industry Depart- ment launches are fitted with radio telephones on their individual departmental circuits. Vessels at buoys and wharves may hire radio telephones commercially to link up with the public telephone

services.

The Marine Division of the Hong Kong Police is responsible for internal security and its launches maintain constant patrols in the harbour and waters of the Colony. Fire is an ever present hazard to shipping and one of the largest and most up-to-date fire-floats in the world, the Alexander Grantham, is maintained in constant readiness by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. Smaller fire-floats are stationed both inside the main harbour and