| (Cap 369 section 107) [2 August 1991] (L.N. 320 of 1991) Cap 369AH reg 1 Citation (1) These regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Means of Assess) Regulations. (2) (Omitted as spent) (Enacted 1991) Cap 369AH reg 2 Interpretation In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires- "assess" (上落) means embarking on or disembarking from a ship; "Code" (守则) means Chapter 8 of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen published in the United Kingdom in 1978 by Her Majesty's Stationery Office and any document amending or replacing it which is considered by the Director to be relevant from time to time and is specified in a Merchant Shipping Notice; "Director" (处长) means the Director of Marine; "employer" (雇主) means a person for the time being employing the master; "fishing vessel" (捕鱼船只) means a fishing vessel licensed under Part IV of the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap 313); "Hong Kong ship" (香港船舶) has the same meaning as in section 107(4) of the Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance (Cap 369); "master" (船长) includes any person in charge of a ship during the absence of the master but excludes a watchman; "Merchant Shipping Notice" (商船公告) means a Notice described as such and issued by the Department of Transport of the United Kingdom; "offshore installation" (离岸装设) means any installation which is or has been maintained, or is intended to be established, for the carrying on of any activity to which the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (1982 c. 23 U.K.) applies; "pleasure craft" (游乐航行器) means a vessel primarily used for sport or recreation; "portable ladder" (活动扶梯) does not include a rope ladder. (Enacted 1991) Cap 369AH reg 3 Application (1) Subject to paragraph (2), these regulations shall apply to- (a) Hong Kong ships; and (b) other ships where they are in the waters of Hong Kong unless they would not have been within such waters but for stress of weather or any other circumstance which neither the master nor the owner of the ship could have prevented or forestalled.(2) These regulations do not apply to- (a) fishing vessels, (b) pleasure craft, (c) offshore installations whilst on or within 500 metres of their working stations, or (d) ships in which there is for the time being no master or crew or watchman.(3) The Director may grant exemptions from all or any of the provisions of these regulations (as may be specified in the exemption) for classes of cases or individual cases on such terms (if any) as he may so specify and may, subject to giving reasonable notice, alter or cancel any such exemption. Any exemption given pursuant to the regulations replaced by these regulations shall continue in effect as if made under these regulations; and any reference in such an exemption to a provision of those regulations shall be construed as referring to the corresponding provision in these regulations. (Enacted 1991) Cap 369AH reg 4 General duties concerning access arrangements (1) The employer and the master shall ensure that there is a safe means of access between the ship and any quay, pontoon or similar structure or another ship alongside which the ship is secured and in particular (and without prejudice to the generality of such duty) the employer and the master shall ensure that- (a) any equipment necessary to provide a safe means of access is placed in position promptly after the ship has been so secured and remains in position while the ship is so secured; (b) access equipment which is in use- (i) is properly rigged, secured, deployed, and is safe to use; and (ii) is so adjusted from time to time as to maintain safety of access;(c) access equipment and immediate approaches thereto are adequately illuminated; (d) any equipment used for means of access and any safety net is- (i) of good construction; (ii) of sound material; (iii) of adequate strength for the purposes for which it is used; and (iv) properly maintained.(2) When access is necessary between ship and shore, and the ship is not secured alongside, the employer and master shall ensure that such access is provided in a safe manner. (3) The employer and the master shall take account of the principles and guidelines in the Code when carrying out the duties provided by this regulation. (Enacted 1991) Cap 369AH reg 5 Gangways In every ship of 30 metres or more registered length (or, in the case of an unregistered ship, of 30 metres or more overall length) the employer shall ensure that there is carried on the ship a gangway which is appropriate to the deck layout, size, shape and maximum freeboard of the ship, and which complies with the specifications contained in section 2 of the Code. (Enacted 1991) Cap 369AH reg 6 Accommodation ladders In every ship of 120 metres or more in registered length (or, in the case of an unregistered ship, of 120 metres or more overall length) the employer shall ensure that there is carried on the ship an accommodation ladder which is appropriate to the deck layout, size, shape and maximum freeboard of the ship, and which complies with the specifications contained in section 2 of the Code. |
