Close up video shot by a resident on 24 and 25 July 2020
We received numerous complaints over dust clouds associated with the bulk carrier JOSCO SUZHOU in East Lamma Channel. Cement was transferred to local barges without mitigation measures. Marine Department said they are not the enforcement agent for this form of pollution. The Environmental Protection Department explained verbally that they lack vessels and that it takes time to arrange joint operations with the Marine Department. Moreover, EPD suggested that there are technical difficulties with enforcement as this form of pollution falls within a grey area. In the past they have issued advisory letters to a previous operator. It is suggested that the transfer usually lasts a week at a time. According to marinetraffic.com, the vessel departed this morning heading to Vietnam.
None of the above gives a lot of confidence. We have therefore written to the Director of Marine and the Director of Environmental Protection asking for clarification regarding enforcement responsibilities, what relevant ordinances are possibly being breached and how these operations are monitored and the law enforced.
我們收到多名居民投訴散裝貨船 JOSCO SUZHOU於東博寮海峽掀起大量塵埃，污染空氣及水域。從居民拍攝到的影片（連結）清晰可見船隻正在上落水泥，卻未有採取任何減低影響的措施。海事處表示他們沒有針對這種污染的執法權。環保署透露他們因沒有船隊，需要時間安排與海事處作聯合行動，而相關污染行為於執法角度亦存在灰色地帶。過往環保署曾向於海上上落水泥的船隻及營運商發出勸誡信。我們得悉這類上落水泥的工序通常歷時一星期左右。根據marinetraffic.com的資料，該散裝貨船今天早上由香港水域出發前往越南。
由於部門的回覆缺乏具體內容及方向，我們已去信海事處處長及環保署署長，要求他們交代相關污染行為涉嫌觸犯哪些條例，以及應由哪一個部門監察及執法。
None of the above gives a lot of confidence. We have therefore written to the Director of Marine and the Director of Environmental Protection asking for clarification regarding enforcement responsibilities, what relevant ordinances are possibly being breached and how these operations are monitored and the law enforced.
我們收到多名居民投訴散裝貨船 JOSCO SUZHOU於東博寮海峽掀起大量塵埃，污染空氣及水域。從居民拍攝到的影片（連結）清晰可見船隻正在上落水泥，卻未有採取任何減低影響的措施。海事處表示他們沒有針對這種污染的執法權。環保署透露他們因沒有船隊，需要時間安排與海事處作聯合行動，而相關污染行為於執法角度亦存在灰色地帶。過往環保署曾向於海上上落水泥的船隻及營運商發出勸誡信。我們得悉這類上落水泥的工序通常歷時一星期左右。根據marinetraffic.com的資料，該散裝貨船今天早上由香港水域出發前往越南。
由於部門的回覆缺乏具體內容及方向，我們已去信海事處處長及環保署署長，要求他們交代相關污染行為涉嫌觸犯哪些條例，以及應由哪一個部門監察及執法。
