>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases New legislation to enhance protection for ship passengers The Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu, today (March 10) said that the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance had been enacted to provide better protection for passengers of local vessels. "One of the proposed changes under the new legislation is to extend the requirement of Compulsory Third Party Risk Insurance to all local vessels other than laid-up vessels and dwelling vessels," Mr Tsui said. "The proposed minimum insurance liability cover for a local vessel permitted to carry more than 12 persons is $10 million, and that for the other local vessels is $5 million," he added. Speaking at the Commendation for Bravery Presentation Ceremony, Mr Tsui said the new Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation were expected to come into force by the end of this year. In order to enhance navigational safety, Mr Tsui said that the Marine Department kept under review all related legislation and hold seminars on navigational safety to ensure the safety of all ships and their passengers on board when navigating within Hong Kong waters. He also said that the department would set up a task force this month to enforce the collision prevention regulations in all the fairways and traffic separation schemes in Hong Kong in order to enhance navigational safety and reduce collisions at sea. At today's ceremony, the Director presented his commendation to 26 people for their bravery acts during marine incidents. Mr Tsui said that no matter how perfect the safety policies and legislation were, if there were no such heroes who had dived into the sea to save others at the risk of their own lives, the annual casualty figures on people falling into the sea will probably increase sharply. "I am very proud of them for their deeds of bravery," he said. The recipients, comprising six civilians, four employees of the Star Ferry Company Limited, three employees from Hong Kong Pilots Association Limited, two sailors from the New World Ferry Services Limited, a Marine Inspector from Marine Department, one Police Sergeant and nine Police Constables, have rescued a total of 16 people from waters since April, 1998. Friday, 10 March 2000
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