Hong Kong Ordinances

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE - SECT 36

Equipment of passenger ships

PART III

EQUIPMENT OF SHIPS AND EXCESS PASSENGERS

(1) Every passenger ship to which section 9 applies shall-

   (a)  have the ship's compasses properly adjusted from time to time, to the
        satisfaction of a Government surveyor and in accordance with
        regulations or such directions as may be issued by the Director; and

   (b)  be provided with such shelter for the protection of deck passengers,
        if any, as the Director, having regard to-

        (i)    the nature of the passage;

        (ii)   the number of deck passengers to be carried;

        (iii)  the season of the year;

        (iv)   the safety of the ship; and

        (v)    any other circumstance, may require.

(2) If any passenger ship to which section 9 applies goes to sea from Hong
Kong without having its compasses adjusted or without protection for deck
passengers in contravention of subsection (1), the owner or the master commits
an offence and is liable-

   (a)  in the case of the owner, to a fine of $50000 and to imprisonment for
        2 years; and

   (b)  in the case of the master, to a fine of $20000 and to imprisonment for
        6 months.

(3) If any requirement of this section or of regulations as to the number of
permissible passengers is not complied with in the case of any passenger ship,
the Director shall not grant a clearance and if any such ship attempts to go
to sea without a clearance, the Director may detain it.