THE new Director of Marine has promised a major harbour study, restructuring of staffing levels and a continued commitment to safety.
Ian Dale, 53, now the department's deputy director, takes over on March 1. Director Allan Pyrke is retiring and will return to the United Kingdom on the Canberra.
Mr Dale will be one of the few non-local department heads as the 1997 changeover approaches.
The department yesterday announced plans for a major review of harbour traffic, part of its overview of Hong Kong's waters.
The $14 million risk assessment to be conducted by marine consultants is due to start next summer. It will take six months to complete and constitutes phase one of a three-part study of navigation risks in the main passageways.
Phases two and three - early next year - will include a detailed inventory of port facilities and future developments.
