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TRANSPORT

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A plan-approval and survey service is also provided for local shipping, including one of the world's largest fleets of high-technology fast passenger boats (dynamically-supported craft comprising jetfoils, hydrofoils, side-wall hovercraft and jetcats). With minor exceptions, vessels plying within the waters of Hong Kong need to be licensed under the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance and these too are inspected and issued with certificates. A major review of the procedures and requirements for local craft was under- taken during the year, which will be developed into a rationalised approach to the safety and control of the many disparate types of craft operating in Hong Kong.

The Examination Section conducts a wide range of examinations for persons requiring certificates of competency for service on vessels of all sizes and types operating in international and local waters. The section also monitors all aspects of training at approved establishments for the acquisition of various maritime qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong Government and required by international conventions.

A current major concern of the government and Hong Kong shipowners is the falling recruitment of Hong Kong seafarers. This is being examined by many sectors of the local shipping community to safeguard the future of the shipping industry.

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As an important centre for the recruiting of seafarers, the Marine Department Seamen's Recruiting Office and the Mercantile Marine Office register and supervise the employment of about 5000 active seafarers on board some 650 ships of many flags. Considerable attention has been given to provide more comprehensive training for Hong Kong seafarers and, in this respect, the permanent Seamen's Training Centre at Tai Lam Chung in the New Territories provides pre-sea training courses for new entrants, and in-service training for seamen to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Training and Certification of Seafarers.

As a British port of registry ships registered in Hong Kong presently adopt the same standards in key areas of construction, safety and manning as those registered in the United Kingdom. This is generally accomplished by the extension of the United Kingdom legislation to Hong Kong. Until now, Hong Kong has relied on the United Kingdom Department of Transport to determine shipping policy and for the formulation and implementation of international conventions including those drawn up by the Inter- national Maritime Organisation.

Reliance on the United Kingdom for shipping administration cannot continue beyond 1997 and the Sino-British Joint Declaration provides for the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain a shipping register under its own legislation. It is therefore necessary to reform the existing legal and administrative systems concerning registration and shipping, to ensure that Hong Kong has its own register.

The general principles for the new Hong Kong shipping register were agreed in 1986 by the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group. A Steering Group, with representatives from the government and all sectors of the local shipping industry, was formed in March 1987 to advise on detailed proposals for the establishment of the new shipping register and detailed proposals on legal and administrative aspects of the register, technical standards, and training and certification of seafarers have been submitted to the Hong Kong Government. Drafting the legislation for the new shipping register has begun and the register is expected to open as planned in the latter part of 1990.

The Marine Department Technical Policy Division is responsible for the development of technical standards and legislation relating to the establishment and administration of the new Hong Kong shipping register. This includes computerisation of the register and the development of technical policy necessary to ensure that the standards of the relevant