Transport Department's response to Ombudsman's direct investigation report
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The TD expresses appreciation for the work of the Ombudsman in the direct investigation, and agrees with the recommendations in the report. The TD has all along been regulating local ferry services, including franchised and licensed ferry services, in accordance with the Ferry Services Ordinance (Cap 104). The TD has also been monitoring the service levels of licensed ferry services (including kaito ferry services) in accordance with licensing conditions and through various types of surveys to ensure that the operators provide proper and efficient ferry services.
To assist law enforcement agencies and facilitate the strengthening of enforcement against illegal carriage of passengers by sea and activities that violate maritime laws, the TD will strengthen inspections and provide the information of vessels that are suspected of operating illegal maritime transport services to the Police and the Marine Department for follow-up action.
In order to assist members of the public to identify kaito ferry services that are approved by the TD, the TD has printed larger-sized identification plates for operators to display at prominent locations on the vessels, in addition to continuing to request operators to display the service details in a prominent location of each kaito vessel. The TD has also enhanced publicity and education to the public on the need to use approved kaito ferry services, including through putting up posters at major public piers serving kaito ferry routes, and providing more detailed information on kaito ferry services on the TD's website. To enhance publicity, the Marine Department, the TD and the Police have produced Announcements in the Public Interest, which have been launched on TV, radio and social media platforms from August 26, to remind the public of the need to use approved marine services.
Details of kaito ferry services are available on the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, September 1, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:44
Issued at HKT 16:44
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