TNAG-2816-FCO40-4062-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1993 — Page 160

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The above procedures are engaged on ships registered in a

also applicable to Hong Kong seamen foreign country. Complaints are

similarly dealt with and reported to the appropriate consular officer.

The Hong Kong Government will report information on complaints and evidence that a ship calling at Hong Kong does not conform to the standards of the convention on a case-by-case basis. During the period under review, no such complaint was lodged.

The Labour Relations Ordinance, Chapter 55, lays down provisions for conciliation, arbitration, and setting up of boards of inquiry in cases of trade disputes.

subparagraph (e)

Under sections 7 and 13 of the Merchant Shipping (Recruiting of Seamen) Ordinance, an applicant wishing to be registered as a seaman by the Seamen's Recruiting Office must have attained the age of 17 and completed an appropriate vocational training course as well as fire-fighting and personal-survival course at training establishments approved by the Marine Department, or have acquired the necessary experience appropriate to the duties for which he is engaged. The experience and, training which a seaman must acquire in order to enter higher grades are specified.

subparagraph (f)

All ships are surveyed on first registry in Hong Kong.

All ships are required to deposit the Articles of Agreement with

the Mercantile Marine Office for inspection.

All ships entering port are required to submit to the Port Formalities Office relevant safety certificates in respect of the ship for inspection. Spot checks of ships are carried out. There are 37 officers responsible for inspecting safety standards on board ships.

subparagraph (g)

Part VIII of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance provides for the investigation of marine casualties involving British ships, including Hong registered ships. The Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office conducts inquiries into the deaths of crew members or others on board Hong Kong registered ships.

Kong also

The Hong Kong Government has taken note of the Committee of Experts' comment that the final report of an official inquiry should normally be made public and that full details of such enquiries should be made available to the ILO. It would like to report that no formal inquiries have been conducted during the period under review. However, a preliminary inquiry into the loss of a Hong Kong registered ship has recently commenced.