Ship masters, owners, agents and port operators are again reminded to take precautions against the possible impact of the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem next Thursday (September 9), which is considered a high-risk day for Y2K failures.

A spokesman for Marine Department today (Saturday) said that special port operations procedures would be implemented between 8 pm on September 8 (Wednesday) and 8 pm the following day to ensure port and navigation safety.

"All vessels entering, leaving or moving within Hong Kong waters during that 24-hour period have to observe the Y2K Code of Good Practice and to provide Marine Department with the relevant information about their status of Y2K readiness," the spokesman said.

"Last month, questionnaires have been distributed to collect information on Y2K readiness of ships.

""Vessels which have not submitted the required information as outlined in the questionnaire must declare their Y2K readiness before permission is given to enter or leave Hong Kong during that 24-hour period," he said.

"Any vessel which is unable to confirm Y2K compliance / readiness may not be allowed to enter, depart or move within Hong Kong waters, or they may be required to employ escort tugs if permission is given, depending on the circumstances," he added.

Moreover, all vessels entering, leaving or moving within Hong Kong waters between 10 pm on September 8 (Wednesday) and 1 am the following day, or between 7 am and 9 am on September 9 (Thursday) should conduct proper tests to ensure normal functioning of their ship board equipment and report their situation to Marine Department's Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) using call sign : MARDEP.

The spokesman also advised ocean-going vessels to take the following safety procedures:

- to use manual conning and have their anchors ready for letting go while navigating in Hong Kong waters;

- to follow VTC instructions and maintain a safe distance from other vessels navigating in their vicinity; and

- no overtaking is allowed in Traffic Separation Schemes and major fairways.

Regarding local ferries and high speed vessels, the spokesman reminded them of the following safety procedures if they have to move within Victoria Harbour around 0000 hours on September 9:

- to reduce speed at 11.45 pm on September 8 (Wednesday) and proceed at a speed stipulated in Regulation 19 of Shipping and Port Control Regulations;

- all speed restriction exemption permits will become void for 30 minutes starting from 11.45 pm on September 8 (Wednesday);

For vessels which have not been moving since 0000 hours on September 9, proper tests should be conducted to ensure normal functioning of their ship board equipment before their first sailing the following day.

They should proceed at a speed in accordance with Regulation 19 for the first 15 minutes until clear of the Harbour Limit.

A Marine Department Notice has been issued on September 1 to remind ship masters, owners, agents and port operators of the above special port operations procedures.

Any enquiry relating to the Notice should be directed to the VTC on telephone number 2858 2125 or 2858 2192, or by fax to 2858 6646, or through the VHF on Channels 12, 14 or 67.

"The Marine Department Notice, together with the IMO circular and the questionnaire, are available from the Central Marine Office on 3/F., Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Hong Kong, and it can also be downloaded from the department's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/mardep on the Internet.

Saturday, 4 September 1999