Hong Kong Ordinances

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LOCAL VESSELS) ORDINANCE - SECT 28

Port clearance to be obtained before departure

(1) Subject to subsection (2), no local vessel shall depart the waters of Hong
Kong unless there is in relation to the vessel a valid port clearance in
writing obtained in the prescribed manner.

(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply-

   (a)  to any vessel for the time being used for any purpose by the
        Government;

   (b)  to any vessel of a class that is exempted by the Director by notice in
        the Gazette from the operation of this section; or

   (c)  to any vessel that is obliged to leave any port or the waters of Hong
        Kong due to weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond the
        control of its coxswain, in the interests of safety of the vessel, its
        cargo, crew or passengers.

(3) If subsection (1) is contravened, the coxswain commits an offence and is
liable on conviction to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months.