GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.
FRI 13 MAR 92 11:02
PG.03
CONFIDENTIAL
Provisions in the Proposed Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Bill which involve transfer of authority
Annex A
The provisions in the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Bill which involve transfer
of authority from a UK authority to a Hong Kong authority are
!
Item
UK Enactment
1
MSA 1894, S.114
Current UK Authority
Minister of Transport (originally the Board of Trade)
Power/Function
Approval of form and content of crew agreements
Proposed HK Authority
The Bill will confer a similar power on the Superintendent*
2
MSA 1894, S.115
(a) Superintendent of a mercantile marine office (an official appointed by the Minister of Transport under S.246 of the MSA 1894)
(b) Minister of Transport (formerly ¦ Board of Trade)
(c) The Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen (an official appointed by the said Minister under $.251 of the MSA 1894)
:
(a) To explain crew agreement to each seaman engaged in a foreign-going ship; ascertain that he understands it;
attest his signature to it; and retain a copy thereof
(b) To direct a superintendent of a mercantile marine office either to retain or transmit to the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen a copy of any "running agreement" with a crew member, i.e.
one extending over two or more voyages
(c) To receive a copy of any running agreement required to be transmitted to him by a superintendent of a mercantile marine office
In place of (a), (b) and (c) a new system of supervision will be introduced by the Bill. The supervisory authority will be the Director of Marine (as the "Seafarers
Authority"); power to make regulations governing the supervisory system will be conferred on the Governor in Council
CONFIDENTIAL