Hong Kong Ordinances

MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE - SECT 84

Obligation to assist vessels, etc. in distress

(1) The master of a ship registered in Hong Kong, on receiving at sea a signal
of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in
distress, shall proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in
distress (informing them if possible that he is doing so) unless he is unable,
or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or
unnecessary, to do so, or unless he is released under subsection (3) or (4).

(2) Where the master of any ship in distress has requisitioned any ship
registered in Hong Kong that has answered his call, it shall be the duty of
the master of the requisitioned ship to comply with the requisition by
continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in
distress.

(3) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by subsection (1)
as soon as he is informed of the requisition of one or more ships other than
his own and that the requisition is being complied with by the ship or ships
requisitioned.

(4) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by subsection (1)
and, if his ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by
subsection (2), if he is informed by the persons in distress, or by the master
of any ship that has reached the persons in distress, that assistance is no
longer required.

(5) If a master fails to comply with subsection (1) or subsection

(2), he commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $10000.

(6) If the master of a ship registered in Hong Kong, on receiving at sea a
signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is
in distress, is unable, or in the special circumstances of the case considers
it unreasonable or unnecessary, to go to the assistance of the persons in
distress, he shall forthwith cause a statement to be entered in the official
log-book, or if there is no official log-book cause other record to be kept,
of his reasons for not going to the assistance of those persons.

(7) The master of every ship registered in Hong Kong for which an official
log-book is required shall enter, or cause to be entered, in the official
log-book every signal of distress or message that a vessel, aircraft or person
is in distress at sea.

(8) Any master who fails to comply with subsection (6) or (7) commits an
offence and is liable to a fine of $2000.