The Marine Department (MD) held the Navigational Safety Seminar 2017 today (January 12) to enhance the awareness of navigational safety among members of the industry. The Deputy Director of Marine, Mr Wong Sai-fat, reminded coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels to post extra lookouts, proceed at a safe speed and strictly comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea when navigating in restricted visibility.

     Mr Wong said coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels have the responsibility to uphold safety at sea and fully comply with the marine legislation. Coxswains and crew members should take appropriate and adequate safety precautions and prepare contingency arrangements before setting sail. Vessels should have sufficient life-saving and fire-fighting equipment. Coxswains and crew members should ensure that vessels, engines and equipment are maintained in conditions that are suitable for navigation. In addition, they should be aware of the contact numbers of the port traffic control unit and units that provide emergency services, and be fully aware of the latest weather conditions and related MD Notices.

     On another front, to avoid accidents caused by fatigue, owners and operators of all local vessels must ensure that the duty rosters of crew members, including coxswains, have sufficient rest periods to avoid fatigue at work.

     As more infrastructure projects are being undertaken in Hong Kong these days, coxswains and crew members should pay special attention to MD Notices on marine works. Vessels working in marine works areas should comply with safety measures and those navigating in the vicinity of marine works areas should exercise extra caution to avoid accidents.

     To enhance safety of navigation and life at sea, the MD proposes to introduce new legislation to control boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Hong Kong with reference to the Road Traffic Ordinance. The proposed new legislation should apply to all vessels navigating within the waters of Hong Kong, including locally licensed vessels, river-trade vessels and ocean-going vessels. The MD is now consulting the industry to solicit its views. 

     The MD organises education seminars and publicity campaigns to promote marine safety on a regular basis. Since December 2016, the MD has launched a new round of publicity at three marine ferry terminals to further promote the message that passengers on high-speed craft plying between Hong Kong and Macau should have their seat belts fastened. At today's annual seminar, a veteran coxswain of high-speed craft spoke about the navigational safety of high-speed craft in restricted visibility.
     
     Today's annual seminar was attended by about 200 representatives from the shipping industries, coxswains and operators of local vessels, and representatives of marine works projects. The issues discussed covered the application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in Hong Kong waters, safety precautions required for vessels navigating in the vicinity of marine works areas, electrical safety onboard vessels, analysis of marine accidents and their implications, and navigational safety of high-speed craft in restricted visibility. The MD also distributed leaflets at the seminar to promote navigational safety.  

     MD Notice No. 8 of 2017 on safe navigation in poor visibility has been issued and uploaded to the department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, January 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:20

NNNN