CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT TELEGRAM
PRIORITY
TO GOV RNOR OF HONG KONG
HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING
We have carefully considered the comments on the Consultative Document enclosed with the Director of Marine's letter of 1 June, made after discussions with Hong Kong shipowners.
We note the view that if only the proposals contained in the Consultative Document were to be put into effect it would be "exceptional" for shipowners to register more ships in Hong Kong but if "a much larger measure of agreement" could be reached a separate Hong Kong register might contain some 10.9m gross registered tons by 1975 or so. At the same time, we consider it essential to demonstrate that any new arrangements do not involve lowering standards of equipment or safe manning.
Accordingly we make the following proposals in order to secure agreement:
(1) Masters of vessels on the Hong Kong register would be British with the requisite British or equivalent Commonwealth certificate.
(2)
(3)
The second-in-command of vessels on the Hong Kong register would either have to be British or bona fide Hong Kong residents holding the requisite British or equivalent Commonwealth certificate by examination: we are prepared to consider the possibility of setting written examinations in Chinese if this were felt to be helpful.
Chief engineers, second officers and second engineers of new and transferred ships could be aliens and would be accepted for employment on Hong Kong-registered ships on their merits. This would involve an individual examination of each officer's qualifications and record of sea service but decisions would be based on general principles drawn up by the Director of Marine and the Department of Trade and Industry. These could envisage the acceptance of any officer holding certificates issued by specified traditional maritime countries, with the possibility of oral examination in the case of certain others, while the holders of a third category might be required to sit a written examination. All officers would have to be able to speak English.
(4) Arrangements regarding safety equipment and crew accommoda-
tion would be on the lines envisaged in the Consultative Document but the secondment arrangements proposed below would help to meet the difficulties foreseen by the Director of Marine.
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