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PROPOSALS ON REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF LOCAL CRAFT

LOCAL

THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS TO REFINE THE IDEAS IN THE CRAFT REVIEW INTO A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO REFORM THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF THE LOCAL FLEET OF 20,000 VESSELS.

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SAID THIS AT THE INSTITUTE OF SEATRANSPORT LIMITED ANNUAL DINNER (TUESDAY).

PARTY TONIGHT

PHILOSOPHY OF RESPONSIBILITY

MR SZE SAID: "THE DEPARTMENT IS USING A GENERAL OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF LOCAL VESSELS TAKING A GREATER AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE WAY THEIR VESSELS ARE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED.

THIS WILL RESULT IN A LESS SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY COMPROMISE ON THE DEMAND AND ARE USED TO IN HONG KONG.

RIGID AND SIMPLER REGULATORY HIGH STANDARDS OF SAFETY WE

"INDEED ENHANCED SAFETY STANDARDS ARE A COMPONENT OF MANY OF THE PROPOSALS.

"FOR EXAMPLE, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THOSE CLASSES OF PASSENGER LAUNCHES AND FERRIES OPERATING OUTSIDE OF VICTORIA HARBOUR BE HARMONISED AND THAT ANY VESSEL CARRYING MORE THAN 12 PERSONS PLUS TWO CREW, OR ANY ADDITIONAL APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, ALSO COMPLY GENERALLY WITH THESE STANDARDS, HE SAID.

..

MR SZE SAID THE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ALL VESSELS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN ORDER THAT ALL INTERESTED PARTIES FROM A PROSPECTIVE OWNER TO THE DESIGNER, BUILDER, OPERATOR AND REGULATOR ACQUIANTED WITH THESE STANDARDS.

ARE

FULLY

"THE EXISTING COMPLEX SYSTEM OF PROFICIENCY FOR COMMERCIAL VESSELS HAS BEEN RATIONALISED TO A SIMPLE THREE GRADES FOR COXSWAINS AND ENGINEERS. MORE EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE QUALITY OF TRAINING COURSES ATTENDED VIS A VIS SIMPLY EXAMINING CANDIDATES."

MR SZE SAID THESE WERE AMONG MAJOR PROPOSALS THAT WOULD

BE PRESENTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION BEFORE NEXT SUMMER.

IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF STUDIES AIMED AT PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES TO LOCAL VESSEL OWNERS INCLUDING A FULLY COMPUTERISED VESSEL RECORD SYSTEM FOR TRANSACTIONS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION, HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

AND

THE

MR SZE SAID: "THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION REGULATORY SYSTEM WILL ENABLE MORE POSITIVE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL SHIPPING INDUSTRY IN THOSE AREAS WHERE IT HAS A ROLE TO PLAY, SUCH AS MAINTENANCE OF SAFETY STANDARDS AND TRAINING OF CREW.

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/THE FINDINGS

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