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Marine safety campaign in Central Harbour
The Marine Department and the Marine Police started today (Monday) a joint marine safety campaign in the busy Central Harbour to remind masters and persons-in-charge of vessels to strictly follow the rule of the road.

Briefing the media on the campaign, the Senior Marine Officer/Central, Mr Tsang Cheuk-yin, said the campaign was aimed at increasing the awareness of the importance of safe navigation, in particular in the Central Fairway, and strengthening the enforcement of the rule of the road.

The Central Harbour through which the Central Fairway runs is one of the busiest water areas in Hong Kong and about 4,200 vessels sail in the water area every day.

The campaign is to be carried out in two phases: the first phase from February 24 to 28 concentrating on education activities and the second phase between March 3 and 7 when enforcement action will be taken against vessel operators who defy the navigational safety rules.

"A marine safety campaign before the arrival of the foggy weather serves as a reminder to masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels the importance of strictly following the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREG), especially while they transit Victoria Harbour," said Mr Tsang.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Assistant Divisional Commander (Operations) of the Marine Police Harbour Division, Mr A.M. Steeple, said seven Marine Department and Marine Police launches would distribute a pamphlet entitled "While sailing in the central part of Victoria Harbour..." and Marine Department Notice No.1/96 to vessel operators in the Central Harbour during the first phase.

"The launches will issue warnings to vessel operators who fail to observe the rule of the road," said Mr Steeple.

He noted that marine accidents in the Central Fairway remained low with seven in 1995 and five in 1996. But there was no place for complacency.

He pointed out that in the second phase Marine Department and Marine Police launches would take enforcement action against any violation of COLREG and local rules.

Vessel operators found contravening COLREG will be summonsed and may face a maximum fine of $25,000 upon conviction.

Mr Tsang Cheuk-yin advised masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels good seamanship which included:
  1. To maintain a constant and proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means to determine whether there is a risk of collisions;

  2. To proceed at a safe speed appropriate to the circumstances and not to exceed the maximum permitted speed;

  3. Not to enter marine works areas;

  4. To keep the Tsim Sha Tsui Light Buoy on the port side when proceeding along the Hung Hom Fairway;

  5. To use proper sound signals whenever it is required to do so; and

  6. When vessels engaged in towing,
    1. the tow line should not exceed the length of the vessel being towed, or two and a half times the length of the towing vessel, whichever is greater and in no circumstances other than in an emergency should a tow line be longer than 100 metres;
    2. appropriate lights and signals must be displaced; and
    3. not more than two vessels may be towed by a single tug at one time.


24 February, 1997
 
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