>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases Port Clearance Permit issued to "Diao Yu Tai" In response to media enquiries concerning the port clearance for a vessel which is about to depart Hong Kong to the Diaoyu Islands, a Marine Department spokesman said today (Wednesday) that the department had received an application for a port clearance from the pleasure vessel 'Diao Yu Tai'. The spokesman said: "A Port Clearance Permit was subsequently issued as the department is satisfied that the vessel is carrying sufficient life saving and fire-fighting equipment on board and has adequate means of communication for the intended voyage." Meanwhile, the department gave the safety precautionary measures relating to a pleasure vessel intended for a sea-going passage and has asked the master to take heed of the advice given. The spokesman stressed that the primary concern of a master of a pleasure vessel was "safe voyage". The spokesman stressed: "If the master of a pleasure vessel is unsure about the appraisal of the vessel, passage planning and monitoring and execution of the intended voyage, he should not proceed on the voyage." As for the appraisal aspect, the spokesman reminded the master that he had to ensure the boat was safe for the intended passage prior to departure. "The master should gather sufficient information from relevant documents and publications such as sailing direction, weather charts, sea current chart, sea route and light lists in a bid to assess the routes of the intended voyage," the spokesman said. "He also has to ensure sufficient life saving and fire-fighting appliances, communication equipment for normal and distress communication, fuel, food, water and sufficient seasick tablets, etc. are on board," he added. Turning to passage planning, the Marine Department has advised the master of the pleasure vessel that he should draw up according to the information gathered a safe passage taking into account the navigation hazards, conditions of sea and wind, means of position fixing available, facilities available en-route and port of refuge in case of emergency. "A contingency plan should be drawn up to identify the nearest sheltering port on route and alternative routes if necessary," the spokesman said. "Normally, June to September is the tropical cyclone (typhoon) season in the South China Sea. It is prudent for masters to choose a sheltered route rather than to take a passage via open sea," the spokesman reminded. On the aspect of monitoring and execution, the spokesman said that the department has asked the master of the pleasure craft to adhere strictly to the following advice : ensure all crew on board to familiarise themselves with the ship and other crew members; the locations of the life saving appliance (LSA) and fire-fighting appliance (FFA), and routes of escape; carry out a liferaft drill; frequent position fixing; receive weather broadcast especially during the tropical cyclone season; avoid unnecessary contact with small vessels encountered to avoid potential pilferage and piracy; seek assistance and take shelter if in an emergency situation; and use international distress signals to ask for assistance if in distress. Wednesday, May 21, 1997
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