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The daily operating hours of various Marine Department offices will be extended to 5.45pm from Monday to Friday when the department implements Phase Two of the five-day week scheme from January 1, 2007.
The Marine Department operates eight Marine Offices, providing vessel licensing, port formalities and professional vessel inspection advance-booking services. Four of them implemented the five-day week on July 1. The other four - in Aberdeen, Central, Tuen Mun and Yau Ma Tei - will join the scheme on January 1.
Application and cheque payment can still be made to the department by fax or by post and drop-in boxes are also provided for collection of documents.
Sea traffic, marine rescue service, passenger and cargo transport will not be affected by the five-day work pattern.
The Vessel Traffic Centre and the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre will continue to provide services around the clock, while office hours of the China Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal, Public Cargo Working Areas and Typhoon Shelters will remain unchanged.
Since the implementation of the five-day work scheme Phase One on July 1, the Marine Department has continued to operate smoothly and the new work pattern has generally been accepted by the public.
For enquiries , please call the Marine Department hotline 2542 3711 or the Government 24-hour hotline 1823. You are also welcome to visit the Marine Department Website (www.mardep.gov.hk) or the Government Website (www.gov.hk/info/5day).
Ends/Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:00
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