A spokesman for the department stressed that the re-registration is a must to keep the seafarers in the profession.
He said: "Employers and families of Hong Kong seafarers are advised to inform Hong Kong seafarers of the changes if they are now serving on board foreign- going ships."
Further details concerning the re-registration of Hong Kong seafarers are available at the Mercantile Marine Office of the Marine Department on 2852 3061 during office hours.
End
International Conference on Drug Education in Schools
Schools heads, teachers and interested parties are invited to register for the International Conference on Drug Education in Schools to be held at the Hong Kong Science Museum on February 18 and February 19.
Organised by the Education Department, the conference provides local participants with opportunities to learn from their overseas counterparts.
Nine renowned experts from the Pacific Rim are invited to brief the conference on recent developments in drug education in schools in their countries.
They are Mr Peter Slattery from Australia, Professor Eric Single from Canada, Dr Sun Jiang-ping from China, Professor Shingo Katsuno from Japan, Mr Yoon Sung- tae from Korea, Dr Jit Singh from Malaysia, Dr Ong Teck-hong from Singapore, Mr Prasert Tanskul from Thailand and Professor Patricia Morgan from the USA.
Professor Chen Char-nie from Action Committee Against Narcotics and Mrs Jenny McGlynn from Life Education Activity Programme are also invited to give their views.
Participants will share their experiences with overseas and local speakers during the forum session.
Conducted in English, the two-day conference can accommodate some 300 participants. No fee will be charged.