266 | Transport
pilotage service is provided through the Hong Kong Pilots Association, which is a private company. The service is available round-the-clock throughout the year.
Local Craft
In 2006, 14 000 local craft - including passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels - were licensed in Hong Kong to provide a variety of efficient and continuous. services for the port and the community. To rationalise the licensing and management of these vessels, a new Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance was drawn up in 2006 and will go into effect in early 2007.
Hydrographic Service
The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces bilingual nautical charts and publications. It also produces Electronic Navigational Charts. Notices to Mariners for the updating of charts are issued once every two weeks. The office also provides real-time information about tides and tidal stream predictions through the Internet (www.hydro.gov.hk).
Planning, Development and Port Security
The department's Planning, Development and Port Security Branch provides professional advice on port and marine projects, and coordinates publicity on all marine development works. These include developments in Tuen Mun Area 38, Central, Wan Chai, Southeast Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O, and the proposed new links to cities in the Pearl River Delta.
The branch is also the executive arm of the designated authority for implementing the IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code for port facilities in Hong Kong. Current tasks include monitoring security exercises and drills. conducted at the different port facilities and carrying out annual audits of port facility security arrangements.
Codes of Practice on Safety of Works
Codes of Practice (COP) on Safety of Works were issued by the Marine Department to enhance marine industrial safety. They provide guidance on matters such as safety at work, safety procedures for working on top of containers and personal protective clothing and equipment.
Port Services and Facilities
Mainland and Macao Ferry Services
The department manages two cross-boundary ferry terminals: the Macao Ferry Terminal with 12 berths and the China Ferry Terminal with 13 berths. The Macao Ferry Terminal operates round-the-clock. The China Ferry Terminal is open from 7 am to 10 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 7 am to 2 am on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal, co-managed by the tenant and Marine Department, opened for service between Hong Kong and Zhuhai on 3 November 2006. The terminal operates daily from 7 am to 10 pm and has three berths.
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