FRANCIS LIU Hon-por, deputy director of the Hong Kong Marine Department, the harbour master's office, will succeed Roger Tupper as director of the department from November 2.

    Mr Liu, 57, joined the government as a marine officer in April 1986. He was promoted to principal marine officer in November 1996 and to assistant director of marine in June 2004. He has been the deputy director of marine since March 2007.

    Mr Tupper, 59, joined the government as a marine officer in August 1980, was promoted to principal marine officer in October 1993, to assistant director of marine in November 1996 and to deputy director of marine in October 2002. He has been the director of marine since March 2006.

    Hong Kong Civil Service secretary Denise Yue praised Mr Tupper's achievement and wished him a happy retirement: "Mr Tupper has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service throughout the years. He has devoted sustained efforts in leading the Marine Department to ensure safe and efficient operation of the port, to administer the Hong Kong Shipping Register and to safeguard the quality of Hong Kong registered ships. He has played a pivotal role in the development of the Hong Kong Shipping Register, which has gained a worldwide reputation as a quality register."

(source:http://www.schednet.com)