LCQ13: Marine fire fighting and rescue and facilities for berthing and landing
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Question:
Some fishermen have relayed to me that in recent years, they have been facing a number of problems (e.g. insufficient marine fire-fighting equipment and berthing spaces at typhoon shelters), which have caused them financial losses and endangered their lives and properties, with the development of the fisheries industry also being affected as a result. For instance, the authorities have failed to conduct a dedicated review of the incident in which the Fire Services Department (FSD) took quite a long time to dispatch fireboats to fight fire at the Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter last year. On the other hand, while the review of the planning of typhoon shelters conducted by the Marine Department is expected to be completed by the middle of this year, neither has the outcome been published nor have the relevant details been provided so far. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) as the authorities have indicated that, due to the wide sea areas as well as the broad and highly mobile distribution of vessels, together with a lack of risk index references similar to those available for land areas, it is therefore difficult to set an appropriate target response time for fireboats to arrive at individual areas of waters, whether the authorities will examine setting target response times for typhoon shelters and marine facilities which are in fixed locations; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; how FSD, the Marine Police, and the Marine Department cooperate and coordinate in their fire-fighting and rescue operations at present;
(2) given that incidents involving the malfunctioning of fire-fighting equipment installed for marine fire-fighting have occurred from time to time (e.g. the past incidents in which a fireboat berthed at Central was required to be dispatched to Cheung Chau for fire-fighting as Fireboat 3 berthed there malfunctioned, as well as water pumps on fireboats were found damaged), of the details of the routine inspections of such fire-fighting equipment carried out by the authorities; whether the authorities will deploy additional resources for enhancing the relevant inspection and maintenance work; if they will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) given that following the implementation of the legislation banning trawling in Hong Kong waters (commonly known as "trawl ban"), quite a number of fishermen have converted their fishing vessels into larger ones for distant-water fishing, but such vessels are not allowed to enter certain typhoon shelters because of their excessive length and are forced to berth at faraway typhoon shelters, resulting in an increase in unnecessary expenses and time, and such fishing vessels can only apply for the Entering Typhoon Shelter Permit (commonly known as "overlength endorsement") in order to enter the relevant typhoon shelters for unloading of catch and replenishment for their fishing vessels but the application procedure for overlength endorsement is cumbersome, whether the authorities have, in conducting the aforesaid review, explored ways to help resolve the berthing problem encountered by overlength fishing vessels, and considered streamlining the application procedure for overlength endorsement;
(4) given that the surge in the numbers of yachts and other vessels in recent years has aggravated the problem of insufficient berthing spaces at typhoon shelters, with quarrels arising from berthing of vessels often heard of, and that the narrow fairway inside typhoon shelters caused by the densely berthed vessels has increased the occurrence of accidents and hindered rescue operations, whether the authorities have, in conducting the aforesaid review, studied measures for tackling the problem of insufficient berthing spaces at typhoon shelters; if they have studied, of the outcome; and
(5) given that at present, quite a number of small fishing vessels, due to the problems such as licence restrictions and susceptibility to collision with other vessels, cannot berth at typhoon shelters and have to berth at places such as the outer area of the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter, the breakwater in Castle Peak Bay, where the fishermen concerned can only embark on or disembark from their vessels by dangerous means (e.g. climbing the boulders along the shore or making use of hand-pulled ferries or rafts made by themselves), whether the authorities will consider providing embarking and disembarking facilities at piers for small fishing vessels; if they will; of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Steven Ho is as follows:
(1) In general, upon receipt of a fire call relating to vessels in Hong Kong waters, the Fire Services Communications Centre will, having regard to the circumstances, first deploy the fire vessel nearest the incident scene to fight the fire. At the same time, other fire vessels, police launches and Marine Department (MD) vessels will also be deployed to carry firemen from nearby onshore fire stations to the scene for support.
To fight fire at typhoon shelters, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the MD have drawn up a contingency plan for joint operations. For typhoon shelters located at urban coastal areas, firemen deployed from nearby fire stations can reach coastal locations direct within six minutes. Land-based firemen may promptly bring portable fire-fighting equipment and board police launches or MD vessels to arrive at the scene promptly for fire-fighting and rescue operations. Furthermore, the FSD, the HKPF and the MD conduct fire drills in typhoon shelters prior to the fishing moratorium and the Lunar New Year every year to enhance the efficiency in fire-fighting and rescue operations, and to strengthen the co-ordination among relevant departments in response to marine fires.
In the wake of the fire at the Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter last September, a working group set up by the FSD has reviewed the arrangements under the contingency plan for typhoon shelters, including the operational procedures, fire-fighting resources and co-operation among various government departments. Upon review, the FSD has decided to procure new light portable pumps, which are lighter, to enhance the operational efficiency of land-based firemen in fighting vessel fire at typhoon shelters.
As for setting out target response times, there is no standard response time for marine fire calls in Hong Kong, nor any internationally prescribed standard response time. The berthing of vessels at sea is not the same as the distribution of buildings on land. For example, vessels in larger sea areas are more widely spread and of higher mobility. Unlike the land area, there is no risk category for the marine area as reference for making regular specific risk assessments. Besides, different fire vessels have different capabilities and maximum speeds. Their actual speed also depends on external environmental factors such as sea conditions, wind direction, wind speed, visibility and inshore traffic conditions. Therefore, the FSD considers it difficult to set a specific response time for each typhoon shelter or marine facility. That said, the FSD will assess potential fire risks from time to time and flexibly deploy existing resources to strategic positions according to the overall risk of different areas of waters and inshore installations, and will put in place appropriate operational arrangements to meet the demand of individual areas or during special periods so as to respond to potential emergency incidents.
(2) The duty officers of fire vessels, similar to those of fire appliances, inspect and test all equipment on board including fire-fighting and rescue appliances every day. The FSD has also drawn up a specific schedule to require fire officers to adopt different testing procedures on a daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly basis to ensure that all equipment and appliances are in normal operation. Firemen will promptly report any problems identified during inspections, testing or operations, and will arrange for relevant staff to carry out repairs.
Regarding vessel maintenance, the MD arranges routine inspections, maintenance and repairs for fire vessels. Enhancement works or installation of new equipment are carried out for fire vessels according to their operational needs. The FSD and the MD also hold working meetings to review the operation, maintenance and repairs of the vessel fleet.
(3) As regards the entry of large fishing vessels into typhoon shelters, the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Typhoon Shelters) Regulation (Cap. 548E) provides that except with the permission of the Director of Marine, a local vessel with length overall exceeding the "permitted length overall" of a typhoon shelter shall not enter or remain in that typhoon shelter. When processing applications for the relevant permits (commonly known as "overlength endorsement"), the MD will consider the operational and practical needs of fishermen. The application procedures for "overlength endorsement" have been simplified as far as possible to facilitate fishermen. An applicant is only required to provide basic information, including applicant's personal particulars, details of the vessel, the typhoon shelter to be used, the reason for entering that shelter and the duration of stay, as well as the necessary documentary proof. Approval for an application is normally granted within one day. Given that fishermen need to use typhoon shelters during the Lunar New Year (between the 15th day of the twelfth month and the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar) and the fishing moratorium in the South China Sea (around May 16 to August 1 every year), overlength fishing vessels do not have to spell out the reasons for entering the typhoon shelters when applying for "special overlength endorsements" for a longer stay at the designated typhoon shelters during these periods.
(4) In collaboration with relevant government departments, the MD is conducting a review on the provision of sheltered space for local vessels, and is comprehensively assessing the demand and supply of berthing and sheltered space for such vessels. The review has examined the current arrangements with a view to identifying feasible improvement measures such as enhancement of the existing typhoon shelter facilities, review of the maximum length of vessels permitted for each typhoon shelter, possibility of demarcating berthing space according to vessel type, expansion of the existing sheltered anchorages and provision of additional ones, etc. In considering the feasibility of various improvement measures, the MD will fully consult stakeholders, including the Local Vessels Advisory Committee. The review is expected to be completed by end 2016.
(5) The Government provides landing facilities, including public piers and landing steps, along the coastlines of Hong Kong for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. In general, vessels anchored at sea use shuttle vessels for the embarkation or disembarkation of personnel aboard. When considering the expansion or addition of such facilities, various factors will be taken into account, including the feasibility of the works involved, the utilisation rate of such facilities, the area to be served, and availability of similar facilities in the waters nearby.
Currently, small fishing vessels may enter or stay in the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter, and may use the seven sets of landing steps and one public pier in the Shelter. As for fishing vessels anchored in the waters around Castle Peak Bay, they may in accordance with their licence conditions or by engaging shuttle vessels, use the two sets of landing steps located within the Tuen Mun Typhoon Shelter near Sam Shing Estate, or the Kadoorie Public Pier located about 300 to 400 metres (sea distance) to the south of the Shelter's breakwater for embarkation and disembarkation. Survey results indicate that the capacity of these three landing facilities can cope with more vessels and meet existing and projected demands.
Ends/Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:30
Issued at HKT 15:30
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