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* Worldwide – World Holidays: 28 July-10 August 2013
* Hong Kong, all ports – Navigation under restricted visibility
DATE: July 27, 2013
COUNTRY: Worldwide
World Holidays: 28 July-10 August 2013
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the
following:
Thu 1 Aug – Switzerland National Day
Thu 1 Aug – Benin Independence Day
Mon 5 Aug – Ireland & Scotland: August Bank Holiday
Wed 7 Aug – Ivory Coast Independence Day
Thu 8 Aug – Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) (Algeria, Lebanon, Ghana)
Thu 8 Aug – Oraza Bayram (end of Ramdam) (Turkmenistan)
Thu 8 Aug-Fri 9 Aug – Eid-ul-Fitr (Ramadam Bairam) Hijri holidays may
change due to crescent status (Egypt)
Thu 8 Aug-Fri 9 Aug – Eid-ul-Fitr
Thu 8 Aug-Fri 9 Aug-Sat 10 Aug – Ramadan Feast
Fri 9 Aug – Singapore National Day
For information about operations around the world contact the respective
GAC office. Details may be found in the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com
DATE: July 27, 2013
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: all ports
Navigation under restricted visibility
Two serious ship collision accidents happened under restricted visibility
in Hong Kong waters in the first half of 2013 as follows:
a) At night time in mid April 2013, two Chinese registered coastal trade
cargo ships collided with each other in the waters near Bluff Head under
restricted visibility of less than 0.5 nautical mile. As a result, one of
the vessels sank causing the death of six crewmembers on board the vessel.
b) The other incident also happened at night time in April 2013. A high
speed ferry carrying passengers from Central to Cheung Chau collided with a
barge in the North Cheung Chau Traffic Separation Scheme under restricted
visibility of less than 0.5 nautical mile in fog. The accident had resulted
in 40 casualties.
Lessons Learnt
The investigation into these incidents revealed that the accidents could be
avoided if the navigation officers of the vessels had ensured strict
compliance with the requirements of the Rules of COLREGS, particularly Rule
19 on the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility.
Owners, operators, masters, coxswains and navigation officers of vessels
within Hong Kong waters are informed of the lessons learnt from the above
accidents. Attention is drawn to the Marine Department Notice issued
regarding “Safe Navigation In Poor Visibility” from time to time.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.84 of 2013
