ENG-1968 — Page 260

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COMMUNICATIONS

Kong. The Seamen's Recruiting Office, which was established in 1966, is responsible for the registration of all seamen engaged in Hong Kong for service in foreign-going vessels. A shipping informa- tion unit, formed within the Marine Department last year, has been busily engaged in countering the effects of stoppages of work by some seamen and in furnishing information on conditions in Far East ports to the Hong Kong Government, overseas Governments and other interested parties. This unit, together with the Seamen's Recruiting Office, has done much to establish normal conditions following last year's disturbance.

A Port Welfare Committee disburses government subventions and other monies to religious and other organizations which minis- ter to the needs of crews of ships visiting Hong Kong. The committee manages the Merchant Navy Club in Kowloon. During the year, $217,000 was provided for port welfare purposes.

The Colony's principal dockyards continued to be employed on repairs conversions and new building. The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company Limited carried out extensive bottom damage repairs to several vessels and special survey repairs to one motor tanker included renewal of 550 tons of structural steelwork.

Two steel dumb palm oil lighters were built for owners in Taiwan, and a steel 550 tons twin screw motor tanker also delivered. The company has received an order for a 2,260 deadweight tōn bitumen tanker for United Kingdom owners and during the year construc- tion of the Mid Yard Quay was completed, providing a new berth. 550 feet in length.

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The Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering Company of Hong Kong Limited were engaged in extensive 'ship surgery' during the year, lengthening three vessels and carrying out extensive modifications to one of them. Major bottom damage repairs were undertaken on one dry cargo vessel and side port modifications made to five vessels. A new diesel engine tug of 1,030 BHP and 14 tons bollard pull came into service during the year and orders have been received for a 76-foot self-propelled lighter for local owners. The dockyard's extensive repair, drydocking and slipping facilities have been heavily committed throughout the year.

The Hong Kong Registry of Shipping lists 456 vessels under the British flag, totalling 770,324 gross tons, 463,024 register tons, of