XN000022-1984-08-16 — Page 8

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1984

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MARITIME REGULATIONS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED

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THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCING REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SHIPPING, PORT FACILITIES, THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND COASTAL ZONES WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS.

THE RECENTLY PASSED REGULATIONS GIVE EFFECT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG IN OCTOBER.

UNDER THE CONVENTION, MEMBER COUNTRIES MUST MEET MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS PRESCRIBED FOR SEAFARERS.

THE CONVENTION HAS COME INTO FORCE AFTER ITS ACCEPTANCE BY 25 COUNTRIES WHOSE MERCHANT FLEETS REPRESENT HALF OF THE WORLD'S GROSS TONNAGE.

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ISSUES WATCH RATINGS CERTIFICATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION TO QUALIFIED SEAMEN TO ENHANCE THE IR EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COMMUNITY.

THIS ALSO ENSURES THAT HONG KONG SEAMEN MEET INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE STANDARD OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, WATCHKEEPING AND SAFETY CONSCIOUSNESS.

+STANDARDS OF COMPETENCY AND CERTIFICATION OF MASTERS AND OFFICERS FOR HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS HAVE FOR MANY YEARS BEEN HIGHER THAN THOSE STIPULATED IN THE CONVENTION, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.

AND A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCALLY REGISTERED SEAMEN ALREADY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION, HE ADDED.

AS FOR UNQUALIFIED SEAMEN, A SIX-WEEK RESIDENTIAL COURSE IS PROVIDED AT A TRAINING CENTRE TO GIVE THEM PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL TRAINING.

THE CENTRE WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR AT LITTLE SAI WAN UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.

+THE COURSE, WHOSE STANDARDS EXCEED THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONVENTION, CONSISTS OF TRAINING IN PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES, PERSONAL SAFETY, PROFICIENCY IN HANDLING SURVIVAL CRAFT, FIRST AID AT SEA, FIRE FIGHTING, BASIC TANKER SAFETY, NAVIGATIONAL WATCHKEEPING KNOWLEDGE AND ENGINE ROOM WATCHKEEPING KNOWLEDGE,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

SPECIAL LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED RECENTLY, IN PREPARATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION.

REGULATIONS UNDER THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDE:

/* MERCHANT SHIPPING