Appendix 1
HKSOA's Suggestions on Registration Procedures and Surveys
Although amendments to the Merchants Shipping Acts are proposed in the United Kingdom which should streamline such procedures, the Association believes the following points may be of assistance.
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At present, a ship must be surveyed before it can be accepted for registration under British Flag at the Port of Hong Kong and, as this situation will no doubt continue, the Registry must employ a number of surveyors of the highest standards. However, in order to achieve the speed and efficiency required for a modern Registry, it may also te necessary to delegate surveys in certain countries to the major classification societies, being full members of the Inter- national Association of Classification Societies ("IACS"). Provided the Registry exercises high standards of supervision, there should be no reduction in safety standards.
It is submitted that the present archaic requirement that a vessel be inspected in order to complete the tonnage measurements be discontinued. This serves no useful purpose, particularly as the basis upon which tonnage is calculated is becoming standardized throughout the world.
In order that the results are quickly made available to the Registry, much more use could be made of facsimile transmission and telex to inform the Registrar of the result of surveys and other matters.
At present, in order to confirm that the name of a Vessel is marked on its stem and stern and its tonnages and official number are carved in the main beam, a carving and marking note is issued by the Registry after delivery to the Registry of the documents transferring title. Although the registry now allows the use of telex and facsimile transmission, this Carving and Marking Note must be completed ty a person who has physically inspected the carving and marking on the ship wherever she may be, before the ship is actually registered. As very few ships are physically delivered in Hong Kong, this inevitably means delay. Verification of carving and marking can surely be made by affidavit sworn by an authorised person on behalf of the Owner, with severe penalties applying if the carving and marking is not completed as described in the affidavit.
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