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Officers of the Marine Department held a seminar for local vessel owners, coxswains, boat operators and the public in Southern District today (August 14) to brief them on the new legal requirements concerning dark smoke emissions from vessels.
Legislative amendments to the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313) and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548) that step up the control of dark smoke emissions from vessels were gazetted on July 18 and came into effect on the same day.
The officers at the seminar reminded industry participants to comply with the newly amended requirements to prevent their vessels from emitting smoke that is darker than the allowed level and to exercise due diligence to maintain their vessels' engine and fuel systems in good operating condition.
Pursuant to the amended Section 51 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548), it is an offence for any local vessel in the waters of Hong Kong to emit dark smoke that is as dark as, or darker than, Shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart for three minutes or more continuously at any one time. In case of contravention, the owner of the vessel, his agent and the coxswain each commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $10,000 for a first conviction and $25,000 for any subsequent conviction.
As regards ocean-going vessels, pursuant to the amended Section 50 of the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313), it is an offence for any vessel in the waters of Hong Kong to emit dark smoke that is as dark as, or darker than, Shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart for three minutes or more continuously at any one time. In case of contravention, the owner of the vessel, his agent and the master each commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $25,000 for a first conviction and $50,000 for any subsequent conviction.
In order to strengthen public education and publicity on this matter, the Marine Department will hold seminars in other districts and will distribute leaflets and Micro-Ringelmann Charts produced by the Marine Department to the maritime industry and the public. Members of the public can make reports to the Harbour Patrol Section Command Centre of the Marine Department (operating 24 hours a day) at 2385 2791 or 2385 2792 should they suspect that a vessel is emitting excessive dark smoke.
Members of the public can collect the Micro-Ringelmann Chart and leaflet at the Marine Offices.
Ends/Thursday, August 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:43
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