Ombudsman Winnie Chiu on Thursday urged government departments to step up the monitoring of unlicensed ferry services to outlying islands, to ensure public safety.

Announcing the results of a direct investigation, Chiu said her office has found illegal kaito services to be prevalent, with the services unlicensed or the vessels used not in compliance with the law.

But the ombudsman said patrols by the Marine Department are ineffective in deterring the unlicensed businesses, noting that the department carried out less than one inspection per week across the territory in the past few years.

Decoy operations, she said, were conducted less than once a year.

"Between 2017 and 2020, [the Marine Department's] special patrol targeting illegal carriage of passengers and decoy operations to collect evidence were infrequent. It was not until we announced the launch of this direct investigation in July 2021 that [the Marine Department] significantly increased its patrol and decoy operations," Chiu said.

She noted that officers did not make further enquiries to verify justifications provided by operators suspected of violating marine legislation, and called on the department to draw up guidelines for vessel inspections.

The ombudsman also urged the Transport Department to implement measures for monitoring illegal operation of kaito services, to ensure prompt referral of suspected cases to the police for further action.

She said the department should also step up publicity so passengers can easily identify those kaito ferries that are licensed.

Chiu noted that all kaito service licensees are now required to display a relatively large label on their vessels.

In response, the Marine Department pledged to conduct inspections and decoy operations more frequently.

The department said in a statement that it will forge closer cooperation with the police and transport authorities, and refer any vessels suspected of operating unlicensed ferry services to them as soon as possible for follow-up action.

It will also formulate clearer guidelines for frontline staff on inspections, the department added.

The Transport Department said it will strengthen inspections and provide information of vessels suspected of operating illegal maritime transport services to police and the Marine Department.