Shipping
HKK 21/2 registry
plan
CHINA
MAIL. 31/10/ 73
slammed
PLANS to give Hongkong its own shipping registry could well develop into another "flag of con- venience."
And in a slashing attack on the tentative agreement, Cpt. J. S. Roe, General Secretary of the Merchant Navy Officers' Guild, said it could also lead to officers getting jobs with bogus certificates; and “kids with quartermasters experience being in charge of super tankers.”
It was announced yesterday that Britain and Hongkong had agreed in principal to establish a registry, and four British marine experts are already on the island building up a report.
But Cpt. Roe revealed he had been to London to meet one of the team, and was in close touch with them here.
He said: "I put them into the picture and their reaction was favourable. I don't think they knew the state of affair here."
Cpt. Roe added his guild cannot fight against the plan, only “make our representation fled. And we have the backing of the Merchant Navy and Airline Officers Association, in this.”
He said: “If it does come about I don't think they'd get the officers. It could end up with it just being a flag of convenience, with bogus officers, and kids with quartermasters experience being in charge of super tankers.
The Director of Marine, Mr Allan Fletcher has indicated Britain is in favour of the proposal.
But he added the
the UK authorities were concerned about details, so a team had been sent out to "assess the situation.'
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