26
should tread this path ourselves through a relaxation of
safety standards for Hong Kong vessels, simply to allow or
even encourage registry in Hong Kong at a handsome fee.
But I agree that the creation of a separate Hong Kong Shipping
Register could bring some advantages. It would, for instance,
allow the Director of Marine to adopt a more flexible
approach to the conditions of registration.
absolve us from meeting our obligations
But it would not
to
various international safety conventions, such as those
associated with life-saving and radio equipment, fire
appliances, loadline requirements, and the construction of
vessels having regard to structural strength. So far as
these matters are related to safety of life at sea, the
standards agreed to at international level must be maintained
if not improved upon by signatories to the relevant
conventions.
40.
This
My honourable Friend mentioned in particular the
question of manning. The present legal requirements on manning are laid down in the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance, which stipulates that all officers should be British nationals with a certificate of Commonwealth validity. legislation is based on the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping Act and the standards required are similar to those applied
to all British ships, that is ships registered in any
Commonwealth country. However, the Director of Marine
already has powers under the Merchant Shipping (Aliens Employment) Ordinance, which provides for aliens to be employed on British ships under certain conditions. exemptions are normally granted only when an alien is in possession of an acceptable certificate of competency in the first instance. If we were to alter our requirements
/ for officer manning
:
Such