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Vessel owners and on-board personnel must take adequate safety precautions and have in place contingency measures for every intended voyage, the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, said this afternoon (January 5).
This was to ensure the safety of live at sea in various weather conditions experienced in Hong Kong during the year, Mr Tupper said.
He was speaking at the Navigational Safety Seminar organised by the Marine Department at the Hong Kong Space Museum to raise safety awareness amongst users of the harbour and offshore waters.
"It is very important before setting sail to verify the seaworthiness of the vessels, engines and equipment, have on board properly qualified and trained crew, be aware of the latest weather reports, especially fog and strong wind warnings and have good working communication with port control and emergency services."
"Once at sea, on-board personnel must keep a good lookout and safe speed and fully comply with the Collision Regulations. They should maintain good observations on other craft and water activities and assist other vessels immediately if seen in difficulties and respond to any distress calls," Mr Tupper said.
Over the past few years while there has been a general downward trend in the number of marine accidents, serious or even fatal marine accidents continued to occur in Hong Kong waters. Investigation into the causes of these accidents revealed that most were attributed to inadequate safety preparations and contingency measures before and after the commencement of the voyages of the vessels.
Mr Tupper said that marine safety measures were ineffective without the awareness and co-operation of marine users and associations. To address this, the Marine Department organised a series of educational seminars and publicity campaigns starting today to highlight proper safety precautions so that marine accidents could be reduced to the minimum.
The recent dry and cold weather gave rise to fire hazards on board vessels, which was also discussed in the seminar. It will soon be the fog season during which the need to proceed at an appropriate speed becomes paramount.
The seminars with the full co-operation of marine users and associations and through the participants' dissemination to the local shipping and boating community, will be able to enhance marine safety in port and at sea, and protect Hong Kong's precious marine environment.
About 150 representatives from the fishery and shipping industries, as well as masters and operators of local and river trade vessels attended today's seminar. Representatives from the Marine Police, Fire Services Department and Customs and Excise Department also joined the discussions.
Ends/Monday, January 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:11
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