ENG-1999 — Page 318

TRANSPORT

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In recognition of its expertise, the MRCC has been selected as a member of the International Maritime Organisation/International Civil Aviation Organisation Joint Working Group for Search and Rescue.

Port State Control

The Marine Department took part in the Asia-Pacific regional Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MOU) on Port State Control (PSC) activities in 1999. The department is a member of the steering group for the development and implementation of the new Tokyo MOU computer information system and the leader of the Advisory Group on Technical Cooperation reviewing the implementation of the technical co-operation programmes.

In 1999, 991 PSC inspections were made of sea-going merchant ships visiting Hong Kong. About 82.7 per cent had deficiencies which were remedied before the ships left Hong Kong.

International Safety Management Code

From April 1, seven classification societies have been authorised by the Marine Department to perform International Safety Management (ISM) audits on cargo ships and their companies and issue the relevant certificates. During the year, the department itself carried out a total of five ISM audits on Hong Kong-registered passenger ships and participated in 14 ISM audits by the classification societies.

High Speed Craft Code

The High Speed Craft (HSC) Code was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on May 20, 1994 and became applicable on January 1, 1996.

In November 1998, the SAR and its Mainland counterparts agreed to harmonise the application of the HSC Code within the Pearl River delta region and make certain modifications to the requirements of the code to suit the sea conditions and the operating environments of high speed craft in the region.

Services in the Port

Mainland and Macau Ferry Services

The Marine Department manages the China Ferry Terminal (CFT) and the Macau Ferry Terminal (MFT). These terminals handled 6.1 million and 9.9 million passengers respectively in 1999. Improvements to the facilities of the two terminals. and energy saving measures continued to be implemented during the year. The Sailing Information Display System at the CFT was upgraded in September and power consumption in the terminal was reduced by eight per cent.

Immigration and Quarantine Services

Immigration and quarantine services, including advance clearance, may be applied for by radio through a ship's agent. The service is available 24 hours a day at the Western Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage and from 6 am to 6 pm at the Eastern Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage. The Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage operates daily from 1 am to 11 am for river trade vessels plying between Hong Kong and Pearl River delta ports.