The Marine Department of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for maintaining the harbour (Port of Hong Kong) and monitor shipping traffic. On July 1, 1997, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, ending more than 150 years of British colonial control. ... Victoria Harbour Victoria Harbour (Chinese: 維多利亞港, pinyin: Wei Duo Li Ya Gang) is the harbour between the Kowloon Peninsula and the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong, China. ... The Port of Hong Kong is the worlds busiest container port, and the fourth busiest port in terms of total tonnage handled. ...

The department is lead by the Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung Yiu _JP who reports to the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour. A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a magistrate appointed by a commission to keep the peace, dispense summary justice and deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions. ... The head of this department is responsible for economic development and labour issues in Hong Kong. ...

The Marine Department is also responsible for co-ordinating search and rescue operations in the waters around Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre - search and rescue
• administer shipping registry
• ensure compliance with international and marine laws
• ensure compliance with environmental protection standards and combat pollution (namely oil spills)
• provide and maintain government vessels
• facilitate the safe and expeditious movement of ships

Hong Kong is a major cargo port, 175 million tonnes of cargo through its port and 18.1 million TEU in 2000. The marine department acts as the port authority (the agency does not exist in Hong Kong). HKMRCC is responsible for co-ordinating maritime search and rescue in Hong Kong. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

Facilities

• 6,000 metres of quays - Kwai Chung and Stonecutters container terminals
• 7,750 metres of quays at public cargo working areas
• 58 mooring buoys for ocean-going vessels
• 2 ferry terminals
• Marine Department port facility - former Royal Navy base - HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island (500 operational vessels)

Kwai Chung is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. ... Stonecutters Island (昂船洲) is a former island in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. ...

External link

• HK Marine Department Website