At a recent Navigational Safety Seminar in the territory the deputy director of marine, S F Wong offered, along with general guidance on navigational safe practice, an update on recent legislation.
To strengthen the provision and usage of lifejackets on local vessels and enhance marine safety during major events at sea, new legislative requirements came into effect on December 23, 2019. All local vessels are required to carry suitable lifejackets, the quantity of which should be not less than the total number of persons the vessel is licensed to carry. During major events at sea, children on board must wear lifejackets at all times and a list of persons on board should be kept by the coxswain of the vessel for emergency purposes. Coxswains, crew members and passengers must comply with the new legislative requirements.
In addition, to protect members of the public engaged in water sports and facilities in fish culture zones, a legislative amendment will come into effect on April 1, 2020. Under the new amendment regulation, the number of speed-restricted zones (SRZs) will be increased from 22 to 30. The restriction period of SRZs and the penalty level will also be amended.
Yesterday’s (16 January) annual seminar was attended by about 200 representatives from the shipping industries, coxswains and operators of local vessels, and representatives of marine works projects. The issues discussed covered the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea and its implementation in Hong Kong waters, new legislative requirements on lifejackets for local vessels, new legislative requirements relating to major events at sea, case analyses of marine accidents as well as recommendations on relevant investigation reports. Leaflets on navigational safety were also distributed at the seminar.
Source:hongkongmaritimehub
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