TNAG-1661-FCO40-2309-Hong-Kong-localisation-of-shipping-legislation-1987 — Page 83

ntion No. 147:

Direct request 1986

Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards), 1976

United Kingdom

Hong Kong

The Committee has noted the information contained first report as well as in its most recent report. receiving additional information on the following points:

in the

Government's It would appreciate

1. Article 2(a) of the Convention. With regard to the Conventions listed in the Appendix to the Convention, and which are either declared not applicable to Hong Kong or have not been ratified by the United Kingdom, the Committee requests additional information on the following points.

Convention No. 73.

The Committee has noted that the declaration of the United Kingdom contained a modification stating that there is no legislative provision requiring seafarers to be medically examined at two-yearly intervals. It has also noted the statement in the Government's most recent report that the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations were expected to be enacted later in 1985, and it requests that it be kept abreast of any developments in this regard.

4

Article 4, paragraph 1, of Convention No. 73. The Committee has noted the Government's statement in its first report that the practice in Hong Kong is for a seafarer to be medically examined every time before signing on unless he has been examined within the last six to 12 months. Please indicate any measures taken to have the competent authority prescribe the nature of the medical examination to be made.

Article 6 of Convention No. 73.

Please indicate any measures which have been taken to give effect to the provisions of this Article.

this provision.

Article 8 of Convention No. 73.

Please state how effect is given

to

Please indicate whether this

option is

Article 9 of Convention No. 73. being pursued.

Convention No. 134. The Committee has taken note of the modification

contained in the United Kingdom's declaration regarding the application of Articles 4 and 7 of this Convention in Hong Kong. It has also noted from the Government's most recent report that the Code of Safe Working Practices Regulations was listed among proposed legislation expected to be enacted later 1985, and it requests that it be kept informed in regard to developments in this connection.

in

of

Convention No. 53, Article 3, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that under section 3(2) of the Merchant Shipping (Certification of Officers) Regulations, chapter 281, the Director of Shipping may permit exemptions from the provisions of the Regulations

"in respect of any case or class cases". It also notes that the provisions of section 14 of those Regulations state that it would not be a contravention of the officer manning standards where by reason of illness, absence or other unforeseeable happening a ship proceeds to sea with less than the required number of officers, provided that certain conditions are met. The Committee requests the Government to