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7.
(c) The Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules 1968,
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(d) The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship
Construction) Rules. 1965,
(e) The Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules 1965.
This list is not exhaustive, but demonstrates that in general United Kingdom standards are applied to the survey of foreign- going ships in Hong Kong, whether they be registered here or elsewhere. This function of survey and certification is undertaken as part of the discharge of obligations incurred by international maritime conventions.
Part VII of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Cap. 281) applies safety provisions with respect to passenger ships and foreign-going steamships.
Proposals regarding amordments to current legislation
8.
Notwithstanding the longer term possibility of introducing separate legislation within the general context of a consolidated Merchant Shipping Ordinance, but assuming a Hong Kong register being established in the shorter term, it is necessary to consider amendments to the extant legislation.
(a) Registry
A new Part relating solely to Hong Kong registered ships should be introduced into the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Cap. 201) in substitution for Part I of the M.S.A. 1894. It is felt that all companies having business associations with the Colony should qualify as owners of Hong Kong ships within the meaning of a separate register, and such associations would be proven if the companies were established under, and subject to the laws of the Colony.
Note:
This proposal envisages the inability of U.K. based and Commonwealth shipowners to switch from their own, to a Hong Kong register, unless and until they form companies in the Colony. Consideration is also being given to the implications of setting an age limit on existing tonnage which owners wished to place on the register, and requiring proof of condition, as may be reflected by valid classification and other certificates. Regarding the resulting size of
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the