ENG-2008 — Page 318

254 | Transport

interests. Pilotage services are provided round the clock throughout the year by a commercial company.

Local Vessels

In 2008, 13 500 local vessels including passenger, cargo, fishing and pleasure vessels - were licensed in Hong Kong to provide a variety of efficient services for the port and the community. To improve the licensing and management of these vessels, the new Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance was enacted and came into force in January 2007.

Hydrographic Service

The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces nautical charts and publications in Chinese and English. It also produces Electronic Navigational Charts. It issues Notices to Mariners for updating the charts once every two weeks, and also provides real-time information about tides and Ma Wan transit tidal window predictions through the Internet (http://www.hydro.gov.hk).

Planning, Development and Port Security

The Marine Department's Planning, Development and Port Security Branch provides professional advice on the planning of port and marine related projects, and co-ordinates publication of Marine Department Notices on all marine works. These include developments in Tuen Mun, Central, Wan Chai, Southeast Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O and the proposed new link to cities in the Pearl River Delta.

The branch is also the executive arm of the designated authority to administer the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code of the International Maritime Organisation for port facilities in Hong Kong. Its tasks include monitoring the training and qualifications of the port facilities' security personnel, security exercises and drills conducted at the port facilities and carrying out annual audits of port facility security arrangements.

The department's statistical unit compiles and analyses maritime and port statistics on vessel movements and container throughput, and publishes them on the department's website (http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/publication/portstat.html.)

Marine Industrial Safety

In 2008, the Hong Kong Harbour has become busier due to China's continuous economic growth. To maintain Hong Kong's reputation as a safe harbour for cargo handling, ship repair and marine construction, the new Shipping and Port Control (Works) Regulation and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation were implemented in 2007. Among other measures, the new regulations introduced mandatory safety training, and the requirement for every vessel engaging in works. to appoint at least one trained works supervisor, which has effectively raised workers' safety awareness. In addition, codes of practice were introduced to provide the maritime industry with practical guidelines. The Marine Department's Marine Industrial Safety Section conducts safety checks on works carried out on vessels and promotes safe working practices and regulations for frontline workers.