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The Government will introduce into the Legislative Council four pieces of subsidiary legislation made under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548) (LVO) which will be conducive to a user-friendly environment for operation of local vessels in Hong Kong.
A spokesperson for the Economic Development and Labour Bureau said today (October 4), "The four pieces of subsidiary legislation consolidate provisions originally scattered in various laws for the administration of local vessels, making it easier for the public to make reference to legislation governing local vessels."
The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation will enact general provisions applicable to local vessels, including the regulation of overboard cargoes and bunkering activities and the issue of new permits for vessels registered in the Mainland and Macau. The Regulation consolidates various provisions related to the regulation of local vessels in the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A), the effect of which will cease upon the enactment of the LVO.
The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety and Survey) Regulation will provide for the approval of plans and survey in relation to local vessels and to prescribe the safety requirements applicable to local vessels with respect to the construction and maintenance, the life-saving appliances and fire-fighting apparatus to be provided, the carriage of passengers and the plying limits. Currently, matters relating to safety and survey of a local vessel are provided in the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313), the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance (Cap. 369), and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Ordinance (Cap. 413).
The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Compulsory Third Party Risks Insurance) Regulation will prescribe matters relating to insurance to be taken out under the LVO, like the requirements related to insurance policy, certificate of insurance, termination of policy and application for approval as approved insurer. It incorporates relevant provisions in the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Cap. 281) and the Merchant Shipping (Compulsory Third Party Risks Insurance) Regulations (Cap. 281K).
The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation will provide for the safety of persons engaged in works in relation to a local vessel. It consolidates provisions that relate to the control of works of local vessels in the Shipping and Port Control (Cargo Handling) Regulations (Cap. 313B).
The four pieces of subsidiary legislation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 11, 2006 for negative vetting.
Ends/Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:17
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