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Wednesday, March 29, 1972
It would, for instance, allow the Director of Marine to adopt a
more flexible approach to the conditions of registration. But it would not
absolve Hong Kong from meeting its obligations as a signatory to various
international safety conventions, such as those associated with life-saving
and radio equipment, fire appliances, loadline requirements, and the construction
of vessels having regard to structural strength.
"So far as these matters are related to safety of life at sea, the
standards agreed to at international level must be maintained, if not improved
upon, by signatories to the relevant conventions," Mr. Haddon-Cave said.
iamlug VI Vessels
On the manning of vessels, the Financial Secretary said the present
legal requirements were laid down in the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance,
which stipulated that all officers should be British nationals with a certificate
of Commonwealth validity. This legislation was based on the United Kingdon
Merchant Shipping Act and the standards required were similar to those applied
to all British ships, that is ships registered in any Commonwealth country.
The Director of Marine, however, had powers under the Merchant Shipping
(Aliens Employment) Ordinance, which provided for aliens to be employed on
British ships under certain conditions. Such exemptions were normally granted
only when an alien was in possession of an acceptable certificate of competency
in the first instance.
The Financial Secretary added: "If we were to alter our requirements
for officer manning aboard Hong Kong registered vessels, then it would be
necessary to hold detailed consultations with the United Kingdom Department of
Trade and Industry to seek acceptance of our proposals on a Commonwealth basis."
/Mr. Haddon-Cave
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