ENG-1968 — Page 256

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13

Communications

IN the days when Hong Kong lived largely by entrepôt trade, its position on the China Coast was its greatest advantage. Changed conditions have now placed the emphasis on industrial production and imports and exports, but that position is still of vital importance. Today as always the Colony relies upon an efficient system of com- munications.

The Port of Victoria is a fine natural harbour possessing all the facilities required by modern ship operators. Berths at government buoys, private wharves and piers permit a continual flow of ocean and coastal shipping to pass through the port with a minimum of delay. Modern cargo-handling equipment at the wharves ensures a rapid turn-around of ships berthed there. The services of ship contractors, repairers and chandlers specializing in maintenance, painting, victualling, watering and refuelling are readily available.

The Director of Marine is responsible for the control of the navigable waters and ports of the Colony. The Marine Department maintains close liaison with shipping and commercial interests, through the Port Committee and the Port Executive Committee, to ensure that port facilities and services keep pace with the ever- changing needs of Hong Kong and of shipping companies of all nations.

A comprehensive system of navigational aids in the harbour and approaches allows safe entry to the port by day and by night, and improvements are constantly being implemented or are under review by the Marine Department. The fairway buoys are all fitted with radar reflecting devices, and in the harbour itself the lead mooring buoys at the eastern end of the lines of mooring buoys are identified by quick flashing lights. A depth of 36 feet can be carried by vessels entering port via the eastern approaches through Lei Yue Mun Pass, whilst in the western approaches through Sulphur Channel or south of Stonecutters Island the depth is 28 feet. There are no factors limiting the draft of tankers which proceed