Hong Kong Regulations

SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL REGULATIONS - REGULATION 27

Obtaining of port clearance

(1) A master who is required to have port clearance in respect of his vessel
under section 15 of the Ordinance and who intends to proceed to sea shall
apply to the Director for a port clearance before his intended departure and
shall state the time of departure.

(2) The Director shall, unless he has reason to refuse port  clearance, grant
port clearance on application made under paragraph (1) and return the ship's
papers to the master.

(3) Before a port clearance is granted under paragraph (2), the master shall,
if required to do so by the Director, inform the Director of the nature of the
intended voyage, the number of passengers (if any) and the general description
of the cargo on board the vessel, and provide such other information as the
Director may require.

(4) A port clearance granted under paragraph (2) shall cease to be valid if
the vessel does not proceed to sea within 72 hours after the grant of the
port clearance. (L.N. 302 of 1991)