Hong Kong Ordinances

MERCHANT SHIPPING (LOCAL VESSELS) ORDINANCE - SECT 55

Beaching, etc. of local vessel

(1) Where a local vessel-

   (a)  is on fire;

   (b)  has suffered damage by fire, explosion or collision; or

   (c)  is disabled, stranded or out of control because of damage, bad weather
        or mechanical failure, the Director may, if he has reasonable grounds
        to believe that any of the circumstances specified in subsection (2)
        prevail, direct the owner of the vessel, his agent or the coxswain-

        (i)    to beach the vessel;

        (ii)   to take the vessel outside the limits of a port; or

        (iii)  to take such other action as the Director thinks fit.

(2) The circumstances for the purpose of subsection (1) are that the vessel-

   (a)  is, or is likely to become, a danger to life to other vessels,
        aircraft or navigation;

   (b)  is causing, or is likely to cause, pollution of the waters of Hong
        Kong;

   (c)  is causing, or is likely to cause, damage to port facilities or other
        property.

(3) If without reasonable excuse any direction given under subsection (1) is
not complied with, the owner of the vessel, his agent or the coxswain to whom
the direction is given commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a
fine at level 4 and to imprisonment for 1 year.