TNAG-0323-FCO40-359-Legislation-for-merchant-shipping-registered-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 61

As the Director of Marine has power to exempt only under Hong

Kong law, an alien officer whose exemption has expired outside

Hong Kong has no guarantee of re-employment.

4. Providing by "classification surveyors" Mr Pao means

surveyors of "Classification Societies" and providing also that

these surveyors do, in fact, ensure British specifications on

ships constructed outside British jurisdiction are met, there

would seem no objection to using them instead of Hong Kong

Government surveyors (though, of course, this would be for Hong

Kong to decide.)

5. For Hong Kong to vary nationality requirements (eg so that

Norwegian Certificates of Competency are acceptable) under

Section 735(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, would be

incompatible with Hong Kong remaining part of the British

Register.

Nevertheless, reciprocal recognition would remain

unaffected provided Hong Kong did not issue a certificate in

place of the one already held.

6. Whilst there is no reason why Hong Kong should not establish

an independent Marine Register, to do so would be no advantage

either to Hong Kong or to Britain. In fact, there would be a

strong possibility of creating a flag of convenience under the

British flag at the very time when Britain hopes to exert some

influence through the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultation

Organisation (of the United Nations) to persuade other countries

that, in the interests of safety and in light of apparent

navigational inadequacies in the Channel, the general standards of

competency of ships officers on duty watches must be raised.

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