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The fishing vessel Kai Fung No.2 was refused permission to leave Hong Kong waters today (January 3) because the Marine Department had grounds to believe that the vessel would not be used for fishing and fishing-related purposes.
The direction was issued by the Director of Marine under Section 64(1)(a) of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance. Under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Certification and Licensing) Regulation, Kai Fung No.2 is licensed as a Class III vessel. In accordance with Section 5(3) of the Regulation, Class III vessels shall be used exclusively for fishing and fishing-related purposes.
In order to ensure the safety of the vessel and people onboard, the Director of Marine in accordance with the law issued the direction refusing the vessel permission to leave Hong Kong waters.
A Marine Department spokesman said the Director of Marine had given Kai Fung No.2 similar direction on May 1, 2009, under similar considerations. The vessel owner filed an application for judicial review to the High Court and the application was dismissed with no appeal by the owner.
Ends/Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:03
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