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III. MANNING
There should be a genuine link between the master and his HK registered ship by requiring the former to have the right of abode in Hong Kong. (PARRY)
Interests of locals should be borne in mind in considering the manning requirements for officers. (CHAN)
Having due regard to the present shortage of crew in Hong Kong, it is suggested that :-
(a) at least the master, chief officer and chief engineer should be required to have the right of abode in Hong Kong but until 1997, Commonwealth citizens may be employed provided they have obtained a work permit necessary for the purpose from the Hong Kong Government;
(t)
(c)
a certain percentage of the total number of crew on board should be those who have the right of abode in Hong Kong; and
the issue of working permits and the percentage in (a) and (b) above should be decided by the proposed Shipping Advisory Board having regard to the practical situation at the time.
O
The Chief Engineer should also be required to have the right of abode in Hong Kong since he has control of the machinery and must comply with all the international conventions and his responsibilities will be ever increasing as ships become more automated with smaller crew. (POLY(DMME))
Noting that at present UK seafarers who sign on a HK-registered ship are considered to be sailing under a foreign flag and thereby often lose their UK status and privileges and in recognition of their contribution to the HK 'fleet', it is suggested to allow them to continue to be employed as masters, chief engineers and officers under the new register provided they have served in a Hong Kong registered vessel for more than three years prior to the introduction of the new register. (ROSS)
Employment priority should be given to Hong Kong
residents. (MNOBA)