ENG-2009 — Page 328

260 Transport

International Conference

The Regional Co-operation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, Information Sharing Centre Capacity Building Workshop was held between November 4 and 6.

Port State Control

Hong Kong is a member of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (PSC) in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Marine Department participated actively in its various activities including leading the Technical Co-operation Advisory Group and as a member of other five working groups.

The department's PSC officers are well known for their professionalism and impartiality in conducting ship inspections. In 2009, the department continued to conduct daily PSC inspections, even at weekends whenever practicable. The officers conducted 700 inspections on ocean-going vessels, or 15 per cent of all ocean-going vessels that visited Hong Kong. About four per cent of ships inspected were detained because of serious deficiencies that needed immediate attention.

Maritime Search and Rescue

The Marine Department's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) co-ordinates search and rescue operations for serious incidents in Hong Kong waters and within a large part of the South China Sea, covering some 450 000 square nautical miles of sea.

The centre is manned round-the-clock by professional staff and equipped with modern communications equipment. It is also aided by a shore-based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

In 2009, the centre handled 235 marine-related emergencies, 63 of which involved search and rescue operations. A total of 94 people were rescued.

In recognition of its expertise, the Hong Kong MRCC was chosen as a member of the International Maritime Organisation/International Civil Aviation Organisation Joint Working Group for Harmonisation of Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue.

Government Fleet and Dockyard

Government Fleet

The government fleet, with over 700 vessels of different types and sizes, including 117 major mechanised vessels and large-type high speed craft, serves 14 government departments such as the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the Fire Services Department. Some of the user departments manage their specially-built vessels. The Government Fleet Division of the Marine Department controls and manages 75 vessels, of which 45 are provided with manning by the department. These include patrol launches, conveyance launches, pontoons and some specialised vessels, such as hydrographic survey launches and explosives carriers. These vessels either support the department's own operations or serve other departments that do not have their own fleets.

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