ENG-1996 — Page 320

TRANSPORT

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Apart from information on the port and the Hong Kong Shipping Register, the home page offers information about services and facilities provided by the department, port statistics and Marine Department notices. A Hong Kong Shipping Directory giving information on maritime services companies based in Hong Kong and real-time shipping movements in the port of Hong Kong are also available on the home page.

Vessel Traffic

The Marine Department's Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) helps ensure a safe and efficient marine traffic flow in the densely-populated waters in and around the port. All ocean-going vessels of 300 gross registered tonnes (GRT) and above must follow VTC directions.

The movements of ocean-going vessels are directly regulated from the VTC through a computer-assisted radar network, a database on ships and VHF (very high frequency) radio telephone communications. The system was enhanced in 1996 to increase the number of targets assigned for collision and navigation channel surveillance. To further improve radar coverage, a new radar station in Mirs Bay is scheduled to open in mid-1998. Such improvement will accommodate anticipated growth in ship movements into the next century.

Harbour Patrol and Local Control Stations

Marine Department launches, in continuous radio contact with the VTC, patrol the main harbour area and its approaches to maintain order and respond to emergencies. In addition to the special team which monitors marine traffic in the central harbour, there is a local traffic control station at Ma Wan dedicated to tightening the surveillance and control of traffic using the Ma Wan Channel. It is envisaged that additional local traffic control stations will be established at Green Island and Kwai Chung in the near future.

Educational Seminars and Marine Safety Campaign

To enhance safety of navigation in Hong Kong waters, educational seminars on marine safety were held in 1996. Shipowners, agents, shipmasters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels were among the many people attracted to the seminars.

Marine Safety Campaigns were conducted to increase public awareness of the importance of safe navigation. Mariners were reminded to strictly follow the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea while transiting Victoria Harbour.

Pilotage Service

Pilots play an important role in navigation safety by assisting shipmasters who may not be familiar with the port of Hong Kong. Ships of 3 000 GRT or over and gas carriers of any tonnage must engage pilots when moving within the port and its approaches.

The Director of Marine regulates and monitors the pilotage service which is operated by the pilots themselves as a private company. Pilot numbers and the quality of their service are kept under constant review and closely monitored by the Pilotage Advisory Committee, whose membership covers a wide spectrum of port users and shipping, interests.