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Vessel owners and personnel on board must take adequate safety precautions and have in place contingency measures for every intended voyage, the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, said this afternoon (January 20).
Addressing the opening of the Navigational Safety Seminar organised by the Marine Department at the Hong Kong Space Museum, Mr Tupper said that personnel on board should keep a good lookout, maintain a safe speed and fully comply with the Collision Regulations once at sea.
He said, "Prior to and during the voyage, it is also very important to be fully aware of the latest weather reports, especially fog and strong wind warnings."
As it will be the foggy season shortly, Mr Tupper emphasised the need to proceed at an appropriate and safe speed, especially in these days of climate change when mist and fog could appear outside of the normal season.
Of special note in the upcoming years, vessel owners and personnel on board should exercise particular caution in the vicinity of all the existing and future marine works in the waters of Hong Kong and the Pearl River estuary. For instance, reclamation work in the Ex-Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area and Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter will commence early this year and last for some six years. The construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, including reclamation to the east of the airport for the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities, will also commence and last for some five years.
The Marine Department will publish Marine Department Notices to promulgate the various stages of these works with navigational safety advice.
Today's annual Navigational Safety Seminar attracted about 160 representatives from the shipping and fishing industries, as well as masters and operators of local vessels and river-trade vessels. They exchanged views on points for vessels to note when navigating in restricted visibility, safety for local vessels at sea, an analysis of marine accidents and their implications, and weather information and navigational safety.
Representatives from the Marine Police, Fire Services Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department also joined the discussions.
To further promote awareness and co-operation among marine users and associations, a series of education seminars and publicity campaigns will be launched to highlight proper safety precautions so that marine accidents can be kept to the minimum.
Ends/Thursday, January 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:30
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