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The Government will gazette on Friday (March 8) the Pilotage (Amendment) Bill 2013, which aims to improve the operation of the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84) and meet the needs of the pilotage sector and the shipping industry.
Under the provisions laid down in the Pilotage Ordinance for the regulation of pilotage services, pilotage is compulsory for all ships visiting Hong Kong with a gross tonnage of 3 000 or more in order to ensure safe navigation of non-local vessels within Hong Kong waters.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (March 6), "Among the changes proposed in the Bill is allowing a working pilot who has reached the age of 65 to retain the same class of licence he is holding until the statutory age limit of 68, subject to his satisfactory passing of examinations of physical and mental fitness and eyesight."
Under the existing Ordinance, pilots over 65 who have passed examinations of physical and mental fitness and eyesight will have their licences downgraded, meaning they will only be permitted to pilot shorter vessels during their extended periods of service.
"The proposed change aims to preserve and make more effective the use of Class I pilots' valuable experience and expertise in piloting mega-size vessels and in training junior pilots," the spokesman said.
The Bill also proposes removing the compulsory pilotage requirement for ships with a gross tonnage of 1 000 or more but less than 3 000 that are proceeding to or from the container terminals. The proposal is made in view of the Marine Department's established traffic management measures and improved technology such as the installation of the Automatic Identification System to track the speed and routing of those vessels in the said location of waters.
Other miscellaneous amendments include expanding the representation of the Pilotage Advisory Committee by adding a new member to represent local shipping agencies, and revising and updating the description of some wharves, berths and docks relating to the training of registered apprentice pilots.
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council on March 20.
Ends/Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:23
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