Annexure
A
classed" vessel is one which complies with certain standards laid down by a Classification Society regarding strength and condition. The origin of the system was to enable underwriters more accurately to assess the risk they were accepting. This still applies today. Basically, surveys for "class" are concerned more with the strength and condition of a vessel and only coincidentally with the safety of the men who sail in her. Surveyors to Classification Societies are not concerned with the calibre and competence of the men who man ships.
2.
Before a cargo vessel can proceed to sea, she must, by international agreement, be in possession of four valid statutory certificates. They are:-
(a) Load Line Certificate which indicates the
safe level to which a ship can be loaded and includes an assessment of strength and condition of the ship;
(b)
(c)
(d)
Safety Construction Certificate which indicates that the construction of various items was to approved standards and that the items have been maintained in good condition;
Safety Equipment Certificate which certifies that the Life-saving Appliances which includes both portable equipment and fixed systems used in fire fighting are in good condition and adequate for the number of persons aboard; and
Safety Radiotelegraphy Certificate which certifies that the equipment for receiving and transmitting radio messages, particularly those of distress, is built to stipulated standards, correctly installed and efficiently maintained.
3.
The survey for the issue of Load Line Certificates and Safety Construction Certificates duplicates many of the surveys undertaken by classification society surveyors to determine the strength and condition of the ship for the purposes of underwriting. Therefore, the Hong Kong Government in line with the Government of the United Kingdom and most Governments in the world, have delegated authority to certain Classification Societies to issue these certificates on their behalf. Surveyors to Classification Societies therefore survey vessels to ensure that they comply with the statutory Load Line Rules and Construction Rules. The authority is restricted to the issue of these certificates and powers to
exempt