Four subsidiary laws consolidating provisions scattered in different ordinances on local vessel administration will be tabled to legislators on October 11, the Economic Development & Labour Bureau says.

The move will be conducive to a user-friendly environment for the operation of local vessels in Hong Kong and make it easier for the public to make reference to laws governing local vessels.

The four subsidiary laws will be made under the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance. The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation consolidates provisions related to the regulation of local vessels in the Shipping & Port Control Regulations, the effect of which will cease upon the enactment of the ordinance.

The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety & 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 three ordinances.

The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Compulsory Third Party Risks Insurance) Regulation will prescribe matters relating to insurance to be taken out under the ordinance, such as 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 and the Merchant Shipping (Compulsory Third Party Risks Insurance) Regulations.

The Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Works) Regulation will provide for the safety of people 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 & Port Control (Cargo Handling) Regulations.