16.
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2.
Other parameters are set by international agreement. The details of application are moulded by national conscience and influence of officers and seamen's associations. This leads to sophisticated patterns of research, testing and control, whereby equipment and materials must comply with minimum standards, and must have general or special approval before being accepted.
7. In practice manufacturers study the specifications and submit their products for type testing and general approval. The results and details of approved equipment are promulgated for the guidance of institutions and surveyors charged with the responsibility of applying national rules.
8.
Whilst there is broad general agreement on principles, countries tend to confine their approvals to national products. There may be an element of trade protectionism here but it is more likely a matter of physical convenience. For example, Japanese firms are not sufficiently interested in the British market to submit their products to D.T.I. type testing when a lucrative market lies with ships being registered under flags without any specific rules, e.g. Liberia, Panama, Somali.
9.
Such countries treat registry as a source of revenue, and evade the responsibility of applying international conventions other than in the letter. It may not be a coincidence that these countries top the casualty league. At this point I must interject the fact that Hong Kong registry was amongst the few with nil casualties last year.
10.
Officer qualification and standards have never been sealed by international agreement, and as Mr. Laird points out in his letter this problem is currently being discussed under the auspices of the International Maritime Consultative Organisation.
The implications of change
11.
I am interested in learning from Mr. Laird's letter that the D.T.I. are contemplating the nationality requirement for eligibility as a candidate for senior certificates of competency. It is my personal opinion that only the master of a British ship need logically be of British nationality and thereby owe allegiance to the Crown. I feel that the D.T.I. will never relax that requirement.
12.
Although Hong Kong is an examination centre the success ratio of candidates is low, and the number of certificates issued is not enough to meet the requirements of British registered ships sailing from the port. This fact may be a real deterrent to Hong Kong registry at the present time, and I am in consultation
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