THE Hong Kong Ferry Company is to introduce a sophisticated radar system and boost coxswain training to help improve marine safety.
The president and chief executive officer of Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings), Peter Wong Man-kong, says the public is becoming increasingly alarmed by the growing number of accidents and near misses involving ferry boats and other shipping.
The new systems, to be announced today, will help quell these fears.
The first involves the introduction of a sophisticated radar system to warn ferry coxswains of potential incidents and allow them to take avoiding action.
Up to now most coxswains have piloted their ferries visually but this can be difficult, especially when it is dark or foggy or in rough weather.
Mr Wong is hoping the radar will give early warning of dangerous situations and enable coxswains to stop or slow down in time to prevent an accident.
Hong Kong Ferry is also installing an onshore training simulator, believed to be the only one of its kind in Hong Kong, to help increase the skill of coxswains.