TNAG-0421-FCO40-467-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 42

CONFIDENTIAL

NOTE OF A MEETING IN ROOM 1/26 SUNLEY HOUSE ON 28 NOVEMBER 1973 ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING

Presenti.

Mr Archer MAR (in the Chair)

Mr Manson SG

Mr Madigan MAR 4

Capt Hampton CNS

Mr Mac Iver Robinson CSS

Mr C Bell DESC

Mrs Wicks MAR 1A

Miz Marshall MAR 1A

Mr Stuart HKIOD, FCO

Mr Goodfellow HKIOD, FCO Mr Felton SP1A

Mr Cohen CRE2/3A

Miss Statham BOTB (EJU)

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1.

The meeting had been called to consider the reports sent back by the DTI team in Hong Kong on the feasibility of a separate Hong Kong Register of Shipping. A progress report to the Minister was required by the end of the month, and it was also necessary to determine what approach the team should adopt during the remainder of their stay.

2, It was apparent from the team's reports that the obstacles to establishment of an autonomous register were proving greater than expected. These problems were mainly in two areas - manning and certification of officers, and the approval of Japanese equipment and materials for Hong Kong and UK Ships. How standards could be maintained aboard ships never calling at Hong Kong was a further problem mentioned, particularly as Hong Kong was at present suffering a shortage of surveyors,

MANNING AND THE CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS

3.

The team had expected to face considerable difficulties in interviewing officera to establish whether they had sufficient technical competence and command of English to hold positions on British ships. But it appeared from the reports that insufficient candidates had been presented on the deck officer side for the team to make a considered judgement on the general position.

On the engineers' side there were grounds for doubting whether UK standards could be maintained, though some officers interviewed clearly were up to the required standard, The Taiwenese, Liberian and Panamanian certificates of competency which most interviewees hald had proved, as anticipated, valueless, and forgery and other malpractices were common. It was estimated that 14,000 Liberian certificates were issued in Hong Kong every year. There was a general lack of basic education and knowledge and many candidates were not capable of reaching MI standards in basic principles. The Folytechnic in Hong Kong, it was pointed out, had only been opened about a year ago, and should improve the standard in future, but the absence of basic knowledge among officers already at acc was a rounce of concern.

4.

Information provided by the shipowners showed that YK Foo's fleet had 40 Masters or first mates with DPI Certificates (cut of a total of 99), whilst the fleets of CY Tung and the Wah Kwong group each only had 3 LTI certificated nasters. This mude it inqvitable that ships coming on to the Hong Kong roster would be almost entirely from the Pas fleet if the requirement for a British Master Fas maintained.

kåpoulers had pointed out that it was an Allogical situation for a fleab to be mototed by deck officers who could not quatre to be masters, because of the reŋpirevent 200 masterste be British subjoobs. There was certain to be pressure, if a separate regater was antabliced, for the UK to pelck standards beyond the concessions usde al allow British masters on flows Kong istered ships.