The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Marine Department (MD) today (June 12) to learn more about the work of the department and meet with its staff.

     Mr Cheung started his visit by meeting with the Director of Marine, Ms Maisie Cheng, and senior officers of the department at the MD headquarters at Harbour Building in Central. He was briefed on the work of various divisions and the challenges they were facing.

     Accompanied by Ms Cheng, Mr Cheung then toured the Central Marine Office to better understand its daily work, including processing licence applications and renewals for local vessels, and handling reports on departures and arrivals of local vessels and ocean-going vessels.

     Mr Cheung then went to the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal (MFT) in Sheung Wan to learn about its operation and the cross-boundary ferry services to and from Macau and ports in the Mainland. Mr Cheung also visited the Vessel Traffic Centre located at the MFT. He received a briefing on the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system. The VTS system caters for the practical situation of Hong Kong as a busy port. It distributes navigational information and advice to vessels through the very high frequency radio network to facilitate safe arrival and departure.

     During the visit, Mr Cheung chatted with staff of the department and commended them for their commitment in applying professional knowledge and technical expertise to ensure smooth port operation and safety in Hong Kong waters. He encouraged them to continue making joint efforts to provide safe and quality maritime services for the industry and the public.
    

Ends/Monday, June 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:45

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