4.
Ref: LEG/N50/AE
Department of Trade and Industry,
Sunley House,
90/93 High Holborn,
London WC1V 6LP.
Dear Sir,
CONFIDENTIAL
MARINE DEPARTMENT,
102, CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL,
HONG KONG.
11th September 1972,
à la bermadil
MSA 1930
leber bization
Hong Kon ipping Regist
Please refer to your draft document, and questionnaire, copies of which were handed to me by Mr. M.A. Goodfellow of F.C.O., on 21st August 1972.
Notwithstanding the fact that registry and manning are in many ways related, it is considered necessary at this stage to deal with each aspect separately, having regard to the following :-
(a) The Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance
Cap. 281 does not include ship registry, the relevant legislation being contained in the Merchant Shipping Act 1894,
(b) Manning requirements for British ships leaving
any port of the Colony are laid down in the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance Cap. 281.
It follows therefore, that presently Hong Kong is a port of British registry, concerning which the H.S.A. 1894 applies, but manning requirements although based on U.K. standards, are nevertheless governed by our own legislation, and can be changed by local enactment.
Although Mr. PAO initiated matters, regarding the establishment of a separate Hong Kong register, and a
as refords nahi relaxation in manning standards, it must be explained, that
but not relocal ! condends' sand
full discussions have now taken place between Marine Department and the principal shipping bodies in the Colony, i.e. the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (Shipping Sub-Committee), both of which support the proposals, especially with respect to a more liberalised approach to manning.