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In response to a media report today (August 8) suggesting that the ship survey for the fishing vessel Kai Fung No.2 has lasted more than half a year, a spokesman for the Marine Department made the following clarification today:
The Certificate of Survey (CoS) for the fishing vessel Kai Fung No.2 expired in October last year. The vessel's owner submitted an application to the Marine Department for a ship survey on July 18 this year, and made an appointment with the department on July 30 to conduct a ship survey on August 1.
The Marine Department inspected Kai Fung No.2 on August 1 and 41 defects were found on board. The Marine Department requested the vessel owner to rectify the defects and a re-inspection will be conducted after the defects are rectified. A CoS will be issued by the Marine Department when all requirements for survey have been fulfilled.
The spokesman for the Marine Department stressed that the department inspects vessels in a professional and conscientious manner and acts in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance. There are no circumstances under which the ship survey work would take more than half a year to carry out.
Ends/Thursday, August 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:52
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