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About 4,500 visitors today (October 30) enjoyed themselves while learning more about Hong Kong's maritime industry at the Maritime Fair cum Government Dockyard Open Day.
The event on Stonecutters Island formed an integral part of the Maritime Awareness Week (MAW) from October 25 to 31 aiming to promote to young people the career opportunities in the maritime industry as well as to mark Hong Kong's commitment to the International Maritime Organization's call on the Year of the Seafarer.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maritime Fair cum Government Dockyard Open Day, LegCo Member Ms Miriam Lau said that to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional hub port in the Asia-pacific region, Hong Kong should continue to work hand in hand and brush up a brighter future of the maritime industry to the next generation.
The Assistant Director (Government Fleet) of the Marine Department, Mr H K Leung, noted that this was the first time ever the Government Dockyard was open to the public. He thanked members of the maritime sector for their strong commitment to the industry and close partnership with the Government, making the event successful.
Besides Ms Lau and Mr Leung, also officiating at the opening ceremony were the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper, and the Deputy Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Ms Doris Cheung.
During the whole-day event, visitors could board and visit government vessels, including "Tin Hau" of the Marine Department, "Customs 2" of the Customs and Excise Department, "Excellence" of the Fire Services Department, "Police 3" of the Hong Kong Police Force and "Immigration 1" of the Immigration Department. Visitors also got to know the maintenance works of government vessels, and how a 63-ton travel-hoist was employed to transfer a boat from the sea to the docking shed.
Also on display were a set of computer simulation software with which visitors could try to "design" and "navigate" a ship, a dynamometer and the anchor of the world largest ship, the ultra large crude carrier "Seawise Giant". The 36-ton anchor is seven-metre long in the shank, 4.45-metre across the flukes and 1.3-metre thick. After the "Seawise Giant" sailing for 35 years, its anchor was moved to the Government Dockyard for temporary storage in June this year. It will be exhibited in front of the new Hong Kong Maritime Museum at Central.
In addition, visitors enjoyed parade performances by the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps and a helicopter winching demonstration by the Government Flying Service. Meanwhile, exhibitions were mounted by the maritime industry and maritime-related government departments on updated information about supporting services and career prospects.
MAW is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and Hong Kong Shipowners Association. For more information, please visit www.maritimeawarenessweek.org.hk/
Ends/Saturday, October 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:32
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