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Education and training systems in Hong Kong are at best similar to pre-war United Kingdom standards and a substantial cpenditure will be required by the Hong Kong Government if standards are to be raised to those of the United Kingdom. The resources of the Hong Kong Administration could probably be expended in other than the marine field with greater benefit to the Colony.
Hong Kong is a dual-language Colony and the establishment of a Hong Kong register and certification to Hong Kong standards would inevitably mean that examinations would be held in Chinese. This raises the questions of inter- preters and the possibility of bribery and corruption unless sufficient qualified Chinese examiners become available.
evant Language and discipline considerations may be relieved. Under flags of con- venience, ships operated by Hong Kong owners often have crows speaking more than one native language. This may mean a reduction in safety of operation especially under emergency conditions and under a special Registerunder Red Ensign.
With multinational crews, prejudices and antagonies often arise and the incidence of crime etc. appears to be greater on flags of convenience ships than with U.K. ships.
Special flexible procedures for certification "to D.T.I. standarde" during the intermediate phase i.e.. the next ten years will reduce the incentive for officers to study for the normal certificate examination. In these cirou- stances they may be prevented from developing their full potential. It is an exceptional man who studies solely for the acquisition of knowledge and seamen are no more inclined than others to do this.
It is unlikely that shipowners will provide courses in basic principles if their officers can obtain 'certificates' on the basis of a limited examination.
Under the present system Hong Kong registered ships carry United Kingdom standard certificated officers and crews. Salaries are similar to those of the U.K. A special Hong Kong register Could facilitate the payment of minimum crew wages in ships flying the Red Ensign,with consequent union troubles.
A special Hong Kong register established with U.K. support could reduce the influence of the United Kingdom Government at I.M.C.0. and I.L.0. meetings.
There are other disadvantages with which D.T.I. are aware e.g. transference of U.K. registered vessels to Hong Kong register etc.
Some of the above implications may be considered to be of negligible importance but I would wish the Department to be aware of all possibilities.
There are, of course, advantages from other than professional aspects. The major advantage from safety considerations is that if existing flag of convenience ships are brought under a Hong Kong register, the safety of these vessels could be increased as it seems reasonable to suppose that the standards in practice would be intermediate between those of the U.K. and those of flag of convenience countries.
I Cowley.
Dictated.
Dr. J. Cowley,
D.T.I. Team, Hong Kong.
15/11/73
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