ENG-1997 — Page 316

TRANSPORT

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Pilotage Service

Pilots play an important role by helping shipmasters to navigate safely within Hong Kong waters. Ships of 3 000 gross registered tonnes (GRT) or more and all gas carriers are required to engage a pilot. There are 83 licensed pilots who provide pilotage services through a private company.

The Director of Marine is the authority regulating and monitoring the pilotage service. He achieves this through the assistance of the Pilotage Advisory Committee, the membership of which covers a wide spectrum of port users and shipping interests. A new pilot boarding station (PBS), Ngan Chau PBS, was established at the outer entrance of the East Lamma Channel in December 1996, and ships of 40 000 GRT and over are required to pick up pilots at Ngan Chau PBS. This obligation was extended to ships of 20 000 GRT in December 1997. It is expected all ships under compulsory pilotage will pick up pilots at Ngan Chau PBS by the end of 1998.

Hydrographic Office

The Hydrographic Office has taken over provision to the shipping community of nautical services which were provided by the British Admiralty before the reversion of sovereignty on July 1, 1997. Hong Kong will attend the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) conferences as part of the Chinese delegation.

Major re-surveys of the port areas continue and bilingual nautical charts and publications are published for sale to the public. Hydrographic surveys and nautical charts follow the standards set by the IHO.

Dangerous Goods

A Dangerous Goods Information System has been developed to monitor all vessels carrying dangerous goods in Hong Kong waters. This system allows shipping agents to declare dangerous goods manifest via the Internet. In any accident involving ships carrying dangerous goods, rescue parties are able to identify immediately the substances being carried, establish the particular risks and initiate safe remedial actions to minimise the hazards to the people and environment.

Public Cargo Working Areas

On completion of a financial viability study, a working group was set up to develop and to oversee the implementation of the management reform of public cargo working areas. A new management system was established after extensive consultations within the government and with the industry. The first phase of the management reform, i.e. contracting out berthing spaces to a majority of existing operators for three years, was implemented from July 11, 1997. The Marine Department will review the situation, in light of operational experience and in consultation with the industry, before deciding on subsequent phases of reform.

Participation in International Shipping Organisations

International Maritime Organisation

Hong Kong is an associate member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and since July 1, 1997, it is officially known as 'Hong Kong, China' in its participation in IMO activities and other international maritime forums.