CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT
A SEPARATE HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING
ANNEX B
1. The Governments of the UK and Hong Kong consider that it would be desirable to set up a separate Hong Kong Register of ships under the Red Ensign designed to permit Hong Kong shipowners to register their ships in the Colony rather than in countries with which they have no business connections and which are less stringent in their approach to safety than Hong Kong.
2. There is no question of debasing standards of certifica- tion, manning, crew accommodation or safety equipment. Any greater flexibility in these respects would be related to differences between the nationality of the people and conditions in Hong Kong compared with the UK (leading to shortages of British officers in Hong Kong) and the fact that the two territories are a great distance apart. Such flexibility would only be agreed where this can be done without in the judgment of the two administrations, lowering standards.
3. In so far as ships are likely to be removed from registers with less stringent standards to the Hong Kong register which will have high standards and a highly qualified and experienced Marine Directorate, it would lead to higher standards being generally applied in future than at present to the shipping
concerned.
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Hong Kong would continue to keep in step with UK requirements as regards safety equipment, crew accommodation and manning. The UK would, however, by mutual agreement, delegate more functions to the Hong Kong Director of Marine to approve safety equipment and materials for crew accommoda- tion subject to relevant information being passed between the two Governments.
5. The Hong Kong Government would be authorised to issue after consultation with the UK Government, Hong Kong certifi- cates of competency at 2nd Mate and 2nd Engineer level, to the holders of certificates of traditional maritime countries which can be regarded as equivalent.
6. The present arrangements whereby aliens can take Hong Kong examinations at 2nd Mate and 2nd Engineer levels would be extended to the examinations for 1st Mate and Chief Engineer; and holders of 2nd Mate and 2nd Engineer certifi- cates issued in accordance with paragraph 5 auove would be eligible to sit such examinations.
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