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TRANSPORT
Depending upon the seriousness of the accident and public interest involved, a public inquiry in the form of a Marine Court may be ordered by the Chief Executive, or, in case of an accident involving a licensed pilot, a Board of Investigation by the Director of Marine.
In 2002, the MAIB investigated 13 accidents. One of the accidents investigated required the appointment of a Board of Investigation.
Seafarers
The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation regulates the registration, employment, competence, discipline, health, safety and welfare of Hong Kong seafarers. The Marine Department's Mercantile Marine Office registers these seafarers and supervises their engagement on board ships.
In 2002, some 11 000 seafarers of various nationalities served on board 547 ocean- going ships flying the Hong Kong flag. About 948 officers and ratings served on passenger vessels plying within the river trade area.
The department's Seafarers' Certification Section monitors training provided to seafarers and examines candidates for the issue of certificates of competency. Towards this end, the section works closely with various training institutions in the training of seafarers.
Participation in International Shipping Activities
International Maritime Organisation
As an Associate Member in the name of 'Hong Kong, China', the HKSAR participates in the activities of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Marine Department consults and briefs Hong Kong's maritime industry on all issues discussed at the IMO that are important to it. In 2002, the HKSAR attended two conferences and 16 IMO meetings in London, and contributed to IMO discussions on various matters. These matters included the standards of training and certification for seafarers, bulk carrier safety, radio communications, revision of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, safety of navigation, prevention of pollution, suppression of maritime piracy, and maritime security.
Port State Control
The Marine Department is actively involved in the technical cooperation programmes under the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region (“Tokyo MOU’). In 2002, the department sent Port State Control Officers (PSCO) to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea to give lectures on subjects relating to Port State Control inspections under the MOU's Expert Mission and Basic Training Course programmes.
The Marine Department also participated in various working groups of the MOU on formulating general policies, evaluation of technical cooperation programmes and improvement of a computerised information system and data exchange.
In 2002, PSCOS of the department conducted 926 inspections on ocean-going vessels, amounting to 16.8 per cent of ocean-going vessels visiting Hong Kong. About 80 per cent of these vessels had deficiencies which were required to be rectified.