ENG-2015 — Page 266

13 Transport

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory in Hong Kong waters for any vessel of 3,000 gross tonnage and above, oil tankers of 1,000 gross tonnage and above, and all gas carriers. The Director of Marine is the pilotage authority, who regulates and monitors pilotage services in consultation with the Pilotage Advisory Committee.

Hydrographic Services

The Hydrographic Office carries out hydrographic surveys and produces nautical charts, Electronic Navigational Charts and publications in Chinese and English. It provides Notices to Mariners for updating the charts once every two weeks, as well as real-time information about tides and Ma Wan transit tidal window predictions through the internet.

Immigration and Quarantine

Immigration and quarantine services for ships are available at the Western and Eastern Quarantine and Immigration Anchorages. Immigration service is also available at the Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage for river-trade vessels. Shipping agents may apply for immigration and quarantine services, including advance clearance, for ships.

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

The Marine Department conducts random shipboard inspections of vessels in Hong Kong waters according to international and local standards. An effective notification system for monitoring dangerous goods carried by local vessels was introduced in 2012.

Local Vessels Safety Certification

The department's Local Vessels Safety Section provides survey and certification services for local vessels to make sure they comply with safety and pollution prevention requirements. Under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance, the plan approval and ship survey work for certain types of local vessels may be carried out by recognised authorities, organisations or professionals authorised by the department.

Port Security

All designated port facilities in Hong Kong comply fully with the IMO's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The Marine Department implements the code, including 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.

Marine Industrial Safety

The department enforces safety requirements on works carried out on board vessels, including cargo handling, ship repair and marine construction under the Shipping and Port Control (Works) Regulation and Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation. Its Marine Industrial Safety Section conducts safety checks on works carried out on board vessels, and promotes safe working practices and regulations for frontline workers.

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