ENG-1998 — Page 319

TRANSPORT

refuse from sea-going vessels when they visit our port. Oily and chemical wastes from ships are collected by registered contractor and delivered to the Chemical Treatment Centre at Tsing Yi Island for treatment. The department also prosecutes against 'litterbugs' for littering over the water.

Combating Oil Pollution in the Harbour

The Marine Department's Pollution Control Unit (PCU), equipped with dedicated equipment such as oil pollution control launches, oil dispersing tugs, an oil skimming boat and an oil storage vessel, responds to oil spill reports and co-ordinates oil spill clearing operations.

An information exchange network has been set up with the neighbouring ports such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Macau. This has enabled information on major oil spill incidents occurring in any one of these ports to be immediately provided to the other. Regular meetings have been held quarterly with these neighbouring ports to exchange views and enhance communications.

Each year, the PCU organises and co-ordinates a large-scale oil spill clearing operation exercise with the participation of other government departments and local oil companies.

Local Craft

The 15 400 local craft including ferries, barges, cargo working and harbour engineering craft, fishing boats and pleasure vessels provide a variety of efficient and continuous services for the Port of Hong Kong. More than 1 100 lighters and 370 cargo boats offer rapid and customised cargo movement services between sea-going vessels at anchorages or mooring buoys and cargo working areas ashore. In 1998, 68 of the 870 launches and ferries were operated by three major ferry companies providing scheduled services for ferrying over 58 million passengers between urban areas and outlying islands. A fleet of 6 600 fishing and 5 300 pleasure vessels continued to provide important support to the fishing industry and recreational activities respectively.

Development and Reclamation Projects

The Development Section of the Marine Department co-ordinates all the marine works associated with the development and reclamation projects within the waters of Hong Kong, such as Container Terminal 9, Tseung Kwan O and Tung Chung developments. The safety of marine traffic and smooth operations of port facilities were protected by taking appropriate marine traffic measures including the promulgation of Marine Department Notices.

Government Fleet

The government fleet of 358 powered vessels is highly visible in the port. This includes specialised vessels such as fire boats, police launches, airport rescue launches, pollution control launches, hydrographic survey launches and floating clinics. The government also has launches for harbour patrol, immigration, port health, customs clearance, correctional services, environmental protection and surveys of international shipping.

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