The master of a Mainland-registered cargo vessel was today (Friday) sentenced to four months' imprisonment at Western Magistracy for offering advantages to a Marine Department staff for lax safety inspection.

Wang Xiu-feng, 51, master of the cargo vessel " Tian Chang ", today pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

Magistrate Mr Tong Man said an immediate custodial sentence was imposed on the defendant, since the safety issue was of utmost importance to the vessel and its sailors.

The judge added that the starting point of a six-month jail term was reduced to four months, taking into account the defendant's guilty plea.

The court heard that the cargo vessel " Tian Chang " arrived in Hong Kong on June 18, 2002 and anchored in the Western Anchorage Area for cargo handling.

Kwan Kan-fat, Surveyor of Ships of Marine Department (MD), conducted an inspection on the safety and oil wastage facilities of the vessel.

Upon completion of the inspection, Kwan detected nine deficiencies in the vessel, including two more serious deficiencies for which the vessel would be detained.

Such detainable deficiencies had to be fixed and repaired properly for approval by MD before the vessel was allowed to depart Hong Kong.

While Kwan was completing a report of inspection inside the master's cabin, the defendant held a US$100 banknote in front of him.

Kwan understood that the defendant tried to bribe him for not detaining the vessel, and told the defendant to put the money away.

On the following day, Kwan made a report to the ICAC.

ICAC officers took immediate action to arrest the defendant.

The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Gary Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Zoe Lau.