TNAG-0323-FCO40-359-Legislation-for-merchant-shipping-registered-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 145

2.

D

one of your ships secks clearance from a port in the Commonwealth, and it may be that their law extends to British chips, including those registered in Hong Kong. It is the normal practice an cases where a vessel de nos manned to the full statutory requirements, for the country of clearance to seek advice from me before granting exemption.

I must make it quite clear that the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance does not extend ontside those waters. However, the exchant Shipping (Aliens Employment) Ordinance prohibits aliens from serving in certain capacities in British ships of Hong Kong registry. The power of exemption has been delegated to me and I cannot anticipate any problems in this respect, where British officers are not available.

I am investigating the supply state of British qualified officers at the present timo. I have been told by the General Secretary of the Ferchant lavy and Airlines Officers Association that there is a general shortage of certificated officers; both deck and engine room.

One cannot of course expect officers to accept conditions which do not take full cognizance of their long-term career consideration, with comensurate salaries and conditions of service. There is also a disinclination on the part of United Kingdan officers to serve on Liberian flag ships because of the lack of protection, as is afforded in British ships by the Merchant Shipping Acts, and the lack of consular services much valued by Masters and officers.

(i)

(11)

To summarise:-

There is no short-term solution in acquiring British registry to the problems posed by British officer requirements coupled with the overall shortage of officers except to ensure that: -

(a) conditions of service and salaries are

competitive; and

(b) powers of cxonption are invoked as necessary

when fully qualified officers are not available.

(c) Officers submitted for exemption are of

comensurate competency to those required by

law.

In the long term:

(a) It is unlikely that legislation will ever be