TNAG-0420-FCO40-466-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 115

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DRAFT TELEGRAM FROM MINISTER OF AEROSPACE AND SHIPPING TO GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING

I have carefully considered your telegrams of 5, 12 and

19 July. The main difference between us now relates tó

the qualifications of the Second-in-Command. He, of

course, plays a vital role in the safe navigation of the

ship and takes over from the Master in the event of

illness etc. We believe that insistence that he should

either be British or a bona fide Hong Kong resident with

the appropriate certificate by examination is a necessary

safeguard and will be important in demonstrating

internationally that no lowering of standards is

contemplated. Shortages of officers are generally

rather less acute at the level of Master and First

Officer. Moreover, Mr Pao employs a good proportion of

British Masters and Mates which may well be an important

factor in his safety record. Many of his ships at least

could clearly comply with the conditions we have proposed.

I can understand him wanting the maximum freedom in

manning but it would not seem unreasonable to expect most

of his British Mates to serve with British Masters and

an accession of, say, 20-25 of his biggest ships would

represent a substantial increase in the tonnage

registered in Hong Kong. Moreover, it would be possible

for bona fide Hong Kong residents to qualify by

examination to be First Mates on Hong Kong registered

ships.

/I have moved