Guidance Notes
Guidance Notes No. 4
CCIDA
Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority
Guidance Notes No. 4
Conveyance of Special Effects Materials by Vessels
1. Introduction
Under the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance (Cap. 560), special effects materials (SEM) used for producing entertainment special effects are sub-divided into pyrotechnic special effects materials (PSEM) and non-PSEM. PSEM are basically explosives fall within Class 1 dangerous goods under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295). Non-PSEM are mainly of dangerous goods of other classes under Cap. 295.
Conveyance of dangerous goods by vessels is regulated under the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulations 2012 (Cap. 295F), the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A) and the Merchant Shipping (Safety) (Dangerous Goods and marine Pollutants) Regulation (Cap. 413H). These regulatory control is also applicable to the conveyance of SEM. With the commencement of the Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance (Cap. 560), some provisions in the above Regulations have been simplified to facilitate the conveyance of small quantity of PSEM.
This guidance notes set out the means of conveyance of small quantity of SEM by vessels, and give a practical guidance for the safe conveyance. In addition, Appendix I sets out the conditions and manner for conveyance by vessels of a type approved by the Director of Marine for the purpose of section 25 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A).
In addition to the conveyance of PSEM by vessels, it should be noted that there is a dangerous goods vehicular ferry service between North Point and Kwun Tong which provides another means of conveyance of PSEM. Please contact the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Co. Ltd. at 2563 9305 for details.
2. Conveyance of Small Quantity of PSEM by Vessels
Pursuant to section 25 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A), small quantity of PSEM may be conveyed in a vessel of a type approved by the Director of Marine (see Annex A) without prior permission from the Director of Marine. The quantity of the PSEM to be conveyed shall not exceed those specified below, and the conveyance shall be in accordance with the conditions and manner stipulated by the Director of Marine and the Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority (the Authority) which are set out in Appendix I:
(a) PSEM (other than designated items) of net explosive quantity (NEQ) not exceeding 5 kg;
(b) not more than 50 detonators;
(c) designated items (other than detonators) of NEQ not exceeding 200 g; or
(d) the materials specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), (b) and (c), (a) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c) above.
(b) not more than 50 detonators;
(c) designated items (other than detonators) of NEQ not exceeding 200 g; or
(d) the materials specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), (b) and (c), (a) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c) above.
In addition, a conveyance permit is not required for the conveyance of these PSEM provided that the requirements set out in section 23(3) of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A) are met.
3. Good Practice for the Conveyance of SEM
Guidance for good practice for the conveyance of SEM is given in Section 5 of the Code of Practice issued by this Authority on the Use, Storage and Conveyance of Special Effects Materials (CP1). In addition, any persons who are involved in the conveyance shall also observe all relevant provisions of the legislation of Hong Kong including:
(a) Unless otherwise exempted under section 23 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A), no person shall convey by land or water within Hong Kong any PSEM without a conveyance permit issued by the Authority.
(b) Conveyance of PSEM in a vessel shall comply with the provisions of the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulations 2012 (Cap. 295F).
(c) A vessel carrying PSEM shall display signals in accordance with section 37 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F).
(d) The conveyance of PSEM shall be under the supervision of a suitably qualified special effects operator with permitted scope of operation stipulated
(e) PSEM shall be labelled and packed in accordance with section 20 of Cap. 560 and section 43 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A).
(f) In case where the conveyance of PSEM is in accordance with para. 2 above, no passengers other than those holding a valid special effects operator licence and directly involved in the conveyance shall be conveyed in the vessel at the same time as the PSEM are carried.
(b) Conveyance of PSEM in a vessel shall comply with the provisions of the Dangerous Goods (Shipping) Regulations 2012 (Cap. 295F).
(c) A vessel carrying PSEM shall display signals in accordance with section 37 of the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation (Cap. 548F).
(d) The conveyance of PSEM shall be under the supervision of a suitably qualified special effects operator with permitted scope of operation stipulated
(i) in the conveyance permit; or
(ii) in cases where a conveyance permit is not required, under section 23(3) of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A).
(ii) in cases where a conveyance permit is not required, under section 23(3) of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A).
(e) PSEM shall be labelled and packed in accordance with section 20 of Cap. 560 and section 43 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A).
(f) In case where the conveyance of PSEM is in accordance with para. 2 above, no passengers other than those holding a valid special effects operator licence and directly involved in the conveyance shall be conveyed in the vessel at the same time as the PSEM are carried.
4. Enquiries
Further details on the types of vessels approved for conveyance of PSEM may be obtained from the Local Vessels Safety Section of the Marine Department at 2852 4430. For general enquiries please call our Special Effects Licensing Unit at 2594 0465.
Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority
1 July 2022
ESELA Guidance Notes 4 (1.7.2022)
Appendix I
The Conditions and Manner for the Conveyance of SEM by Vessels
under Section 25 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation
Pursuant to section 25 of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A) (the Regulation), given below are the conditions and manner specified by the Director of Marine and the Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority (the Authority) for the conveyance of pyrotechnic special effects materials (PSEM) in a vessel where prior permission from the Director of Marine is not required:
1. The types of vessels approved for the conveyance shall be limited to those specified in Annex A.
2. The PSEM for the conveyance shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 25(2)(a) to (d) of the Regulation, that is –
(a) PSEM (other than designated items) of net explosive quantity (NEQ) not exceeding 5 kg;
(b) not more than 50 detonators;
(c) designated items (other than detonators) of NEQ not exceeding 200 g; or
(d) the materials specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), (b) and (c), (a) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c) above.
(b) not more than 50 detonators;
(c) designated items (other than detonators) of NEQ not exceeding 200 g; or
(d) the materials specified in paragraphs (a) and (b), (b) and (c), (a) and (c), or (a) and (b) and (c) above.
3. Loading or unloading of PSEM shall be restricted to the following locations –
Location 1 - Marine Barging Point at Fat Tong O, Area 137, Tseung Kwan O
Location 2 - Ma Tau Kok Public Pier at To Kwa Wan (KP048)
(Location 2 is temporarily suspended until further notice)
Location 3 - Tsing Lung Tau Pier at Sham Tseng (NP089)
Location 4 - Western PCWA Landing No. 1 (HP057)
(former description of Location 4 is "Belcher Bay Landing near Smithfield Road at Kennedy Town")
Location 5 - the Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage
Location 2 - Ma Tau Kok Public Pier at To Kwa Wan (KP048)
(Location 2 is temporarily suspended until further notice)
Location 3 - Tsing Lung Tau Pier at Sham Tseng (NP089)
Location 4 - Western PCWA Landing No. 1 (HP057)
(former description of Location 4 is "Belcher Bay Landing near Smithfield Road at Kennedy Town")
Location 5 - the Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage
Detailed location for these loading/unloading points are given in the attached location plans.
4. The conveyance of PSEM shall be under the supervision of a suitably qualified special effects operator in accordance with the requirements set out in section 23(3) of the Regulation. For ease of reference, these requirements are summarised below –
(a) In cases where the conveyance does not involve designated items, the conveyance shall be supervised by a person holding one of the following special effects operator licences subject to the scope of operation specified in the licence:
(b) In cases where the conveyance involves designated items, the conveyance shall be supervised by a person holding one of the following special effects operator licences subject to the scope of operation specified in the licence:
Special Effects Operator Class I (Stream A)
Special Effects Operator Class II (Stream A)
Special Effects Operator (Stream B)
Special Effects Operator (Stream A Short term)
Special Effects Operator (Stream B Short term)
Special Effects Operator Class II (Stream A)
Special Effects Operator (Stream B)
Special Effects Operator (Stream A Short term)
Special Effects Operator (Stream B Short term)
(b) In cases where the conveyance involves designated items, the conveyance shall be supervised by a person holding one of the following special effects operator licences subject to the scope of operation specified in the licence:
Special Effects Operator Class I (Stream A)
Special Effects Operator (Stream A Short term)
Special Effects Operator (Stream A Short term)
5. All PSEM shall be conveyed in movable PSEM stores licensed by or in containers approved by the Authority and in compliance with the specified compatibility rules.
6. Except with the permission of the Director of Marine, the conveyance of PSEM by a vessel shall be restricted to daylight hours (i.e. between the hours of sunrise and sunset).
7. The vessel shall be in good working order, seaworthy and possess a valid licence issued by the Director of Marine.
8. Unless specified otherwise in a conveyance permit, special effects operator carrying PSEM in a vessel shall provide at least one additional efficient 4.5 kg CO2 fire extinguisher, readily available for immediate use in the vessel.
9. Conveyance of PSEM with non-pyrotechnic special effects materials (non-PSEM) (collectively known as special effects materials, SEM) in a vessel may be allowed provided that such conveyance is in accordance with the following requirements –
(a) the combined water capacity of cylinders containing LPG shall be less than 130 litres;
(b) non-PSEM other than LPG shall be of quantities not exceeding the exempted quantities specified in the relevant provisions of the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulations 2012 (Cap. 295E);
(c) the non-PSEM shall be stowed separately according to compatibility rules and in any case separate from the PSEM to be conveyed; and
(d) two additional 4.5 kg CO2 fire extinguishers shall be made available for immediate use in the vessel.
(b) non-PSEM other than LPG shall be of quantities not exceeding the exempted quantities specified in the relevant provisions of the Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulations 2012 (Cap. 295E);
(c) the non-PSEM shall be stowed separately according to compatibility rules and in any case separate from the PSEM to be conveyed; and
(d) two additional 4.5 kg CO2 fire extinguishers shall be made available for immediate use in the vessel.
10. Vessel carrying PSEM or non-PSEM of Class 2,3 or 3A dangerous goods in the meaning of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) shall not anchor or berth at any place within the waters of Hong Kong other than an approved petroleum wharf, a dangerous goods anchorage(other than the western dangerous goods anchorage) or unless otherwise approved by the Director of Marine from time to time direct.
11. The special effects operators shall give sufficient advance notice with details of SEM to be conveyed to the master or the person in charge of a vessel, so as to allow the installation of the necessary signals or lights in the vessel for the conveyance.
12. The special effects operators shall brief the master or the person in charge of a vessel on safety issues before and during the conveyance including the danger of using radio transmitters near the PSEM and smoking in the vessel, etc.
13. Any vessel carrying SEM shall never be left unattended at any one time.
14. The special effects operators shall not cause or allow the loading or unloading of SEM in inclement weather.
15. While loading, unloading or carriage of SEM is in progress, all persons engaged in the loading, unloading or carriage shall –
(a) not smoke or allow any person to smoke within 15 m of the vessel; and
(b) take all necessary precautions for the prevention of fire, explosions or other accidents, and for preventing unauthorised persons from having access to the materials.
(b) take all necessary precautions for the prevention of fire, explosions or other accidents, and for preventing unauthorised persons from having access to the materials.
16. No person shall be permitted to load, unload or carry any SEM while in possession of or under the influence of intoxicating beverages, alcohol, narcotics, or prescription or non-prescription drugs or other substances that can impair judgement or movement.
17. Any container containing SEM shall be handled with care to prevent undue impact or exposure to excessive heat, flame or direct sunlight.
18. Binary system pyrotechnic materials shall be conveyed in such a manner that the two components are kept separate from each other in different containers.
19. The master or the person in charge of a vessel, or the special effects operators on board a vessel carrying SEM shall forthwith notify the Marine Police or the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) of the Marine Department, either by telephone at 2233 7801 or 2233 7808 or by one of the following VHF radio channels: 02, 12, 14, 63, 67 or 74 (Callsign 'mardep' or 「海事」), of the marine accident the vessel was involved and the type of SEM being carried on board.
| Director of Marine |
Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority 1 July 2022 |
Annex A
Vessels Conveying Special Effects Materials
1. Pursuant to section 25(3)(a) of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap. 560A)(the Regulation), approval is hereby given for the following types of vessels to convey pyrotechnic special effects materials of quantity not exceeding those specified in section 25(2) of the Regulation subject to the requirements stated in section 25(3)(b) of the Regulation:
Vessels under the Merchant Shipping
(Local Vessels) (Certification and Licensing) Regulations
(Cap. 548D) —
Tug
Dry Cargo Vessel
Dumb Lighter (including Flat Top Cargo Barge)
2. Pursuant to regulation 46(1) of the Shipping and Port Control Regulations (Cap. 313A), permission is hereby given for the vessels specified in para. 1 above to lie along side the Government piers specified in para. 3 of Appendix I for the purpose of loading or unloading pyrotechnic special effects materials, provided that the conveyance is in accordance with the requirements specified under section 25 (2) and (3) of the Entertainment Special Effects (General) Regulation (Cap.560A).
Director of Marine
10.1.2014
