MARINA - HKIMT

1 MARINAThe Quarterly Newsletter ofThe Hong Kong Institute of Marine Technology and The Hong Kong Joint Branch of The Royal Institution of Naval Architectsand The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and TechnologyVol 2: July 2006 SSSS hhhhiiiippppppppiiiinnnngggg &&&& MMMM aaaarrrriiiittttiiiimmmmeeee NNNN eeeewwwwssss DB Support A Multi Purpose Workboat A 25-metre aluminum catamaran is specially designedand built for supporting Discovery Bay FerryOperations in Hong Kong. It is a multi-functionalvessel, but manned by a crew of four. Propulsion isdiesel-powered by twin water jets, capable of amaximum speed of 25 knots when she is carrying 60passengers. It is regarded a big breakthrough for the first of its kindbecause it has overcome the hull design contradictionbetween Tugboat and High Speed Craft. Being shallowdraft, it can suit shallow waterways and maneuver athigh speeds despite having the ability to push and multi-purpose vessel would greatly enhance thesupport services of the versatility enables a wide variety of functions,including (1) Rescue and Diving Support, (2) Pushing /Towing, (3) Handling of Goods and Mooring BuoyMaintenance, (4) Passenger Carrying with Galley andDining Areas, and (5) Crew Training as briefly describedin the followings with illustrations by photographs.

2 (1) Rescueand Diving SupportSurvivors in the water and divers can board thevessel either through a bow ladder that can belowered into the water, or from the outboardplatforms at stern. [ ** By activatingthe quick releasedevice, rope laddercan be let go overside for survivors in the water to climbonboard. ]Contents: Shipping & Maritime News .. 1 5 HKIMT & HKJB News .. 6 7 Article of Leisure .. 7 Coming Events .. 8 1 Visit our web 2 (2) Pushing / TowingAt forward end, it is fitted with vertical fenders forpushing vessel, while there is a towing hook at aftdeck with a quick release device provided at thewheelhouse.(3) Handling of Goods and Mooring BuoyMaintenanceA boat crane is equipped to serve a work deck handling, launching and recovery of rescueboat, or inspection andmaintenance of mooringbuoys can be done.(4) Passenger Carrying with Galley and DiningAreas Main deck compartmenthas seating for 60passengers, with adequatestorage space for theirluggage.

3 It has own galleywith cooking facilities indinning space. Toilet andshower room are alsoprovided. ** It carries arescue boatonboard for pickingup survivors fromthe water, or tosupport the diverfrom this rescueboat . 3 (5) Crew TrainingFitted with comprehensive range of navigation andmonitoring equipment in the wheelhouse, Masters,Assistant Masters and Engineers are trained insteering system and engine controls for high speedwater-jet maneuvering, and low speed maneuveringcontrol during docking and rescue, while deck andengine crew learn how to operate the deck crane andthe routines of engine room duties. For search and rescue, CCTV and infrared night visionequipment are equipped to allow the vessel to be usedany time of the day or Hong Kong Qualifications FrameworkThis short article serves to give a brief introduction ofthe Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) that,the Executive Council of the SAR Government hasendorsed to establish in February objectives of setting up the HKQF are to clearlydefine the standards of different qualifications, ensuretheir quality and provide articulation ladders amongdifferent levels of qualifications.

4 The HKQF will serve asa cross sectoral human resource development, assessmentand recognition platform with 7-level competencystandards. The basic characteristics under each level of thecompetency standards range from Level 1 for one canunderstand, comprehand, analyse, respond, criticize,innovate, to one can originate at Level 7 Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) have set upIndustry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) todevelop the competency-based qualifications for theindustries. So far, ITACs have formed in eleven industries;namely, Printing and Publishing, Watch and Clock,Chinese Catering, Hairdressing, Property Management,Electrical & Mechanical Services, Jewellery, Information& Communications Technology, Automotive, Beauty andLogistics industries. The competency standards for ShipRepair and Mechanical Engineering are grouped under theElectrical & Mechanical Services were engaged to develop the Specificationof Competency Standards (SCSs) for different sectors of the industries.

5 There are sub-committees formedunder the ITACs to provide technical advice to theprofessionals. The sub-committees are represented byemployers, employees and workers from private firmsand public utilities companies and professional bodieswith the support of the Hong Kong Council forAcademic Accreditation (HKCAA) and theGovernment. They all work together to develop theSCSs based on which training providers will develop the curricula. The sub-committees would develop alibrary of units of competency (UoCs) from whichstakeholders can select their individual list ofcompetencies based on their drafting of the UoCs for Ship Repair and MechanicalEngineering industry is underway and consultation fromthe public would be sought after completion of the firstdraft. Members can find more detail information of theHKQF, from website : of Freight Containers Safetyin Hong KongThe Freight Containers (Safety) Ordinance and its fourpieces of subsidiary legislations ( , the FreightContainers (Safety) (Applications for Approval ofContainers) Regulation, Freight Containers (Safety) (Fees)Regulation, Freight Containers (Safety) (Arrangements forAuthorized Persons) Order and Freight Containers(Safety) (Examination Procedure) Order) were enactedrespectively in May 1997 and May 2001 for the purpose ofimplementing the International Convention for SafeContainers, 1972 in Hong Kong.

6 The Convention wasadopted by the International Maritime Organization tostandardize the requirements for testing, inspection andapproval of containers, and to prescribe procedures fortheir maintenance, examination and control so as to ensuresafety in their handling, stacking and transportation. TheOrdinance has been further amended in June 2006 andit will come into force together with its four pieces ofsubsidiary legislations this the Ordinance, a container means an article oftransport equipment which is (a) of a permanent character and accordingly strongenough for repeated use;(b) designed to facilitate the transport of cargo by oneor more modes of transport, without intermediatereloading;(c) designed to be secured or readily handled or both,having corner fittings for these purposes; and(d) of a size such that the area enclosed by the outerbottom corners is either (i) at least 7 m2if the container is fitted with topcorner fittings.

7 Or(ii) at least 14 m2in any other case,whether or not it is being carried on a chassis, butexcluding any vehicle or packaging being used inconjunction with the are widely used in the local logisticsindustry. The container throughput in Hong Kong port is22,602,000 TEUs in 2005. In general, the containers ontrains and trucks, in container yards and on vessels areunder the control of the Ordinance. The Ordinancestipulates that the owner of a container shall ensure thathis container has a valid safety approval plate and thecontainer is maintained in a safe condition as well asperiodically examined. However, the owner maytransfer the abovementioned duties to a bailee or lesseeby expressed terms of a contract. The Ordinance empowers Marine Department toappoint classification societies as authorized persons to carry out the functions of the approval of prototype container is to be examined and tested as tothe structural safety requirements and test standardsspecified in Schedule 1 of the Ordinance before thecontainer design type can be approved by the authorized person.

8 The surveyors of classificationsocieties should witness the structural tests of thecontainer including lifting test, stacking test,concentrated loads test, transverse racking test,longitudinal restraint static test, end walls and side walltests. Several classification societies active in the fieldhave confirmed their acceptance as authorizedpersons . The Ordinance also empowers the inspectorsof Marine Department to detain any containers in HongKong (on land or on board a vessel) which mayprejudice the health or safety of any person. By Mr. F. P. LeungMarine Industrial Safety Section, Marine Department 4 5 Sea-going Cadetship Training IncentiveScheme UpdateIn the VIP Room of Marine Department packed byrepresentatives from industry, a recent cheque presentingceremony by Ms Eva Cheng, Permanent Secretary ofEconomic Development and Labour, to 13 cadets by whocompleted their cadetship training employment contracts,she said, Among the 19 cadets who have completed thetraining programme, 14 have acquired their firstprofessional qualification.

9 This proves the success of theScheme, which has attracted enthusiastic and intelligentyoung people to join our thriving shipping industry. The Scheme was launched in July 2004 with the fullsupport of the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council to alleviate the shortage of home-grown ex-seagoingprofessionals to fill shore-based positions. Up to now, the Government has approved a total of 48applications. Some 20 cadets recently graduated fromuniversities or technical colleges are expected to join theScheme this summer. It is likely that the number will risein the coming years as more young people would findseagoing jobs a worthwhile and challenging Advance Maritime EngineeringConference and PAAMES 2006 PAAMES (Pan Asian Association of MaritimeEngineering Societies) was organized for the object ofpromoting science and technology in maritimeengineering, and has, at present, 15 member societiesthroughout the Pan Asian region.

10 AMEC (AdvancedMaritime Engineering Conference) is an internationaltechnical conference on maritime engineering with thefirst event held in Shanghai China 2004. Around 90 papers will be presented in 2nd AMEC2006by maritime engineering professionals through out theworld. SNAK (The Society of Naval Architects of Korea)is hosting the 2nd PAAMES meeting and AMEC2006to be held on October 18 (Wednesday) ~ 20 (Friday),2006 at the venue International Center, Cheju NationalUniversity , Jeju Island, PAAMES Forum is scheduled to hold on 18 October with the theme selected as: Harmonization ofmaritime engineering industry and related infrastructures,such as education and R&D, in Pan Asian region, and Cooperation among PAAMES member societies. The2nd AMEC and PAAMES events would primarilyattract hundreds of professionals from the Pan-Asiancountries to exchange current developments and toenhance cooperation in mutual beneficial areas.