********************************************************
At the Navigational Safety Seminar 2016 held by the Marine Department (MD) today (January 6), the Director of Marine, Ms Maisie Cheng, reminded coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels to post extra lookouts, proceed at a safe speed and strictly comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea when navigating in restricted visibility.
In the seminar today, the MD also talked about navigational safety in height restricted areas in Hong Kong waters to strengthen industry representatives' understanding on height restrictions during navigation. This provided a further reminder for the industry on the height restrictions of bridges over Hong Kong waters, as another seminar was held for representatives from the tugs and barges industry last year.
Coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels have the responsibility to uphold safety at sea and fully comply with the marine legislation. Coxswains and crew members should take appropriate and adequate safety precautions and prepare contingency arrangements before setting sail. Vessels should have sufficient life-saving and fire-fighting equipment. Coxswains and crew members should ensure that vessels, engines and equipment are maintained in conditions that are suitable for navigation. In addition, they should be aware of the contact numbers of the port traffic control unit and units that provide emergency services, and be fully aware of the latest weather conditions and related MD Notices.
On another front, to avoid accidents caused by fatigue, owners and operators of all local vessels must ensure that the duty rosters of crew members, including coxswains, have sufficient rest periods to avoid fatigue at work.
As more infrastructure projects are being undertaken in Hong Kong these days, coxswains and crew members should pay special attention to MD Notices on marine works, and exercise extra caution when navigating in the vicinity of marine works areas to avoid accidents.
The MD organises education seminars and publicity campaigns to promote marine safety on a regular basis. Today's annual seminar was attended by more than 180 representatives from the shipping industries, coxswains and operators of local vessels, and representatives of marine works projects. The issues discussed covered the application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea as well as safe navigation in restricted visibility, navigational safety near height restricted areas in Hong Kong waters, analysis of marine accidents and their implications, the maintenance and safe operation of ship engines, and navigational safety of small craft during the fog season. The MD also distributed leaflets at the seminar to promote navigational safety.
MD Notice No. 183 of 2015 on safe navigation in poor visibility has been issued and it has been uploaded to the department's website (www.mardep.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:12
NNNN
