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LCQ22: Aids to navigation
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     Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):

Question:

     Recently, some fishermen have relayed to me that a number of navigation aids (e.g. lighted buoys and beacons) assisting in the safe navigation of vessels are defective.  For instance, in Sai Kung waters, no light signals are emitted from at least five beacons located respectively at Yeung Chau, outside Tsam Chuk Wan, Lo Fu Tiu Pai, Lo Chi Pai and Mong Chau Tsai at present.  These fishermen have pointed out that the authorities' failure to expeditiously repair the damaged navigation aids will increase the risk of accidents when vessels navigate at night or in poor visibility conditions.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the respective numbers of lighted buoys and beacons in Hong Kong waters in the past three years and, among such lighted buoys and beacons, the respective numbers of those which worked properly and those in need of repair (with a breakdown by waters area);

(2) of the current procedures and the time taken in general for repairing navigation aids; the respective numbers of lighted buoys and beacons waiting to be repaired at present, and when the repair of such navigation aids is anticipated to be completed;

(3) of the current staff establishment of the Aids to Navigation and Mooring Unit which is responsible for inspecting and repairing navigation aids; and

(4) whether it will review the current mechanism for inspecting and repairing navigation aids; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     The five aids to navigation (AtoN) in the Sai Kung waters as mentioned by Hon Steven Ho were established without light signals in the 1980's to mark the submerged rocks and shoals in the vicinity of the respective five locations.  At that time, no light signals were installed on these five AtoN due to the marine traffic conditions at that area and technical constraints.  Given the technological advancement in solar-powered light signals for the AtoN in recent years, the Marine Department (MD) has planned to install light signals at these five AtoN in 2016.  Our replies to other questions raised by Hon Steven Ho are in seriatim as follows:

(1) & (2) The AtoN(Note 1) in the Hong Kong waters can be classified into floating AtoN(Note 2) and fixed AtoN (Note 3). Figures on the AtoN established in the waters inside and outside the Victoria Harbour in the past three years are set out in Annex 1.

     As for the inspection and repair of the AtoN, current arrangements made by the Aids to Navigation and Mooring Unit (ANMU) of the MD are as follows:

i) all floating AtoN ¡V annual replacement;
ii) major fixed AtoN (such as lighthouses and fairway marks (Note 4)) ¡V bimonthly inspection; and
iii) non-major fixed AtoN (such as non-fairway marks and pier head lights) ¡V inspection once every three to four months.

     After receiving reports of defective or damaged AtoN, the ANMU will arrange for their inspection.  If repair cannot be completed immediately, temporary measures such as putting up temporary light signals will be taken.  The Vessel Traffic Centre of the MD will also broadcast navigational safety notices to remind vessel operators of the relevant situation.  According to the maintenance records of the MD, repairs of damaged AtoN were normally completed within 48 hours upon receipt of such reports.  The number of damaged AtoN and the average time required for their repairs in the past three years and in the first five months in 2015 are set out in Annex 2.

     As at 18 June 2015, no AtoN in the Hong Kong waters are pending repair.  The MD has been maintaining its performance objectives of the availability and reliability/continuity of the AtoN in the Hong Kong waters at 99%.

     The ANMU of the MD is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of the AtoN and mooring.  There are a total of 29 staff members, including one Superintendent of Aids to Navigation, two Assistant Superintendents of Aids to Navigation and one Senior Assistant Shipping Master who are responsible for leading the ANMU to perform its work.  Besides, there are two Assistant Electrical Inspectors, two Foremen, eight Senior Artisans and eight Artisans responsible for the repair and maintenance of electrical installation and light fittings of the AtoN.  In addition, there are three Marine Inspectors I responsible for monitoring the maintenance of buoy structure (e.g. to remove rust and oyster shells, to paint and to replace components, etc.) by contractors.  There are also one Assistant Clerical Officer and one Clerical Assistant in the ANMU.

     Information on the maintenance of the AtoN in the Hong Kong waters has already been set out in Part (2) of this reply.  Based on the two performance objectives of the MD on the availability and reliability/continuity of the AtoN, the MD will examine the current arrangements for the inspection and  repair of the AtoN from time to time to see if they are appropriate or in need of improvement with a view to maintaining normal operation of the AtoN.

Note 1: The AtoN generally refer to all marks established to facilitate navigation, position fixing and for indication of obstructions.
Note 2: Floating AtoN refer to navigational marks installed on buoys.
Note 3: Fixed AtoN refer to navigational marks installed on fixed structures (such as on top of shoals, submerged rocks or land).
Note 4: Fairway marks refer to AtoN which mark fairway.

Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:02

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