ENG-1967 — Page 252

COMMUNICATIONS

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November, 1966, for the Hong Kong Government was commissioned early in the year. Dockyards in the Colony were not seriously affected by stoppages during the year. Although the Taikoo Dock- yard lost a number of its workers, new staff was soon trained to fill vacant posts. Both Taikoo Dockyard and Kowloon Docks con- tinue to develop and modernize their facilities, and the extension of the mid-yard berth at Kowloon Docks, now almost complete, will enable larger vessels to go alongside. The Hong Kong Registry of Shipping currently lists 477 vessels under the British flag, totalling some 801,183 gross register tons. Of these, 113 ships are over 500 tons gross. Vast numbers of small craft operate in the harbour and create special problems. There are more than 19,500 vessels in this category and some 8,400 are mechanized. It is mandatory for persons in charge of mechanized craft to possess a local certificate of com- petency as master or engineer.

Trade continued with Macau and adjacent Chinese ports, though there was a decrease compared with previous years. Cargoes from these areas are transported mainly by towed lighters or junks. Details of trade tonnage may be found in Appendix XXXVIII. A brisk internal trade is carried on between the harbour area and outlying districts. The shipbreaking industry improved. Ships notified as coming to be broken up in Hong Kong up to the end of the year totalled 34, compared with only 12 last year. The increase was probably due to the rise in insurance premia on old ships.

Although storm signals were hoisted several times during the typhoon season, the Colony was never seriously affected. In March, the British vessel Niceto de Larrinage collided in fog with the American flag vessel Pioneer Moor near Tathong Point, and suffered extensive damage. A few minor collisions also occured. In Septem- ber, a British registered vessel, mv Denny Rose, with officers and crew from Hong Kong, was reported missing while on a voyage from Toledo to Chiba. In spite of an intense air and sea search, no sign of the vessel was found. In November two Hong Kong registered vessels, the passenger ship Lakemba and the cargo ship, Habib Marikar, went aground and were subsequently declared total losses. One life was lost in the case of the Habib Marikar. All casualties are the subject of preliminary enquiries being conducted by the Marine Department.