Aug.27--The Hong Kong Marine Department will join Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (GDMSA) and Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration (SZMSA) to carry out the Concentrated Inspection Campaign throughout September.

The campaign intends to inspect the general safety conditions of mainland coastal container carriers (less than 3,000 gross tonnes), which are in the waters of Guangdong and Hong Kong. Inspectors will issue reports after examinations of the vessels in their ports.

Mainland coastal container carriers trading to Hong Kong will be selected for inspection by the Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD). The preliminary inspection will focus on the Automatic Identification System relating to its installation, maintenance and the crew's familiarisation with the operation of the equipment, maritime radio licences etc.

Detailed inspections may be conducted if there are grounds to believe the condition of a vessel is not up to standard during the preliminary inspection. Vessels with serious defects may be detained until such defects are rectified. A report Note 1 will be issued by HKMD to record the information after inspection. The inspection reports should be kept onboard vessels for possible checking by inspectors at the other ports.

Shipowners, masters, agents and operators are invited to note theConcentrated Inspection Campaign and to take extra precautions to ensure their vessels fully meet the requirements at all times.

(Source:shippingazette)