For a long period of time, the Marine Department did not use the term “Government Fleet” for colonial launches. It was only in 1961 that the Director of Marine started to use the term “Government Fleet” or “Fleet” for colonial launches. In 1966, the Fleet Maintenance and the Fleet Operations and Crew Training Sub-sections were established under the Government Dockyard Section. The term “Government Fleet” was officially adopted for all colonial launches.[18]
Starting from 1965, the Government Slipway Section had been responsible for providing training for staff of the Marine Department and other relevant government departments. The Marine Nautical Training School was established to provide marine courses for coxswains and engineers. It also provided training on shipping safety and for the 1st Class Certificate of Navigation, which included both classroom lectures and practical onboard training. It normally took three years for the trainees to complete the certified course and become qualified members of the Marine Department. The trainees could serve as seamen in different government departments after graduation.[19]
With the rapid increase in the number of colonial launches, the workload of the dockyard increased, with more than 500 vessels being slipped each year. As a consequence, outsourcing of work was suggested as an alternative. The yard was so congested by the increased workload that the subject of extension was brought up when the Kowloon Naval Yard at Canton Road was taken out of commission. In 1960, Arthur George Parker, the Director of Marine, wrote to Mr. Claude Bramall Burgess, the Colonial Secretary, requesting three slipways in the new development at the ex-Naval Camber in Kowloon. At the end of 1960, a working party was formed to study the details of the development, with Mr. M.D. A. Clinton, the Deputy Financial Secretary as the Chairman. In late 1962, the reprovisioning work was upgraded to Category B in the Public Works Programme. The work was disclosed to the press in 1965. In 1968 it was publicly announced that the work on replacing the existing slipway in Yau Ma Tei were to be conducted in two phases. Phase 1, which included a 260-foot long pier, three covered slipways, two of 380 feet, and one of 420 feet, was already in progress. Phase 2 would include a government building with a low-rise building for workshops and offices for the slipway. The construction costs amounted to HK$11 million and the work was completed by the end of 1970. The new Government Dockyard was handed over by J.J. Robson, the Director of Public Works, to Kenneth Milburn, the Director of Marine on 21 October 1971. The dockyard was comprised of a 6-storey building, 1 workshop, and 3 slipways; with a parking bay that accommodated 160 government vessels.[20]
In 1975, shortly after the opening of the Canton Road Government Dockyard, the Marine Department underwent a change in its structure.
The Fleet Maintenance Section under the Government Dockyard Branch was responsible for the repair and maintenance of all Government craft. The services provided included annual overhaul, regular inspection, and accident repairs. The Hull and Deck Unit, headed by a Chief Technical Officer, was responsible for the maintenance of colonial launches, supervision of hull and deck repairs, investigating breakdowns, authorising repairs to colonial launches within estimated costs, and preparing tender specifications. The repair and inspection works were mostly assigned to, and conducted by, contract labour, with the exception of the Carpentry, Sailmaker Rigger and Painting Workshops. The Electrical and Mechanical Unit was responsible for more or less the same duties, with particular emphasis, naturally, on mechanical and electrical equipment. The Work Study Unit was responsible for planning maintenance activities for all colonial launches and monitoring the progress of maintenance work. It performed a coordinating role for the Hull and Deck Unit and the Electrical and Mechanical Unit.
The Fleet Operation Section was another section under the Government Dockyard. It was responsible for the operation of the Government Fleet, including the training and deployment of deck and engine crews. It was led by a Marine Officer and made up of two units, namely the Training Unit and Marine Unit. The Training Unit was responsible for organising and conducting training courses for all crew members of the Marine Department (both deck and engine-room crews and Marine Inspectors) and the floating staff from other government departments such as the Fire Services Department and the Customs and Excise Department, leading to the award of respective certificates of navigation. It was the unit where all government vessel crews were trained before the establishment of the Nautical Training School. The Marine Unit was mainly responsible for the day-to-day operation of all vessels manned by the Marine Department.[21]
Notes:
- [18]Annual Departmental Report by Director of Marine, 1961-1966.
- [19]Interview of Lam Kit; Annual Departmental Report by Director of Marine, 1964-1966.
- [20]Kung Sheung Yat Pao, 8 May 1965; Kung Sheung Yat Pao, 29 June 1968; Report of the Harbour Master 1971-72. Government Construction Projects were classified as Category A, B and C in the order of its priority.
- [21]Ibid.
Part 2 Chapter 3.5 - The adoption of the term “Government Fleet”, the establishment of the Marine Nautical Training School, and the establishment and operation of the new Government Dockyard in Kowloon North Camber (1961 to 1980)
