ENG-2001 — Page 328

TRANSPORT

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In 2001, the MAIB investigated seven accidents. None of the accidents investigated required a formal investigation.

Seafarers

The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation regulate the registration, employment, competence, discipline, health, safety and welfare of Hong Kong seafarers. The Marine Department's Mercantile Marine Office registers these seafarers and supervises their engagement on board ships.

In 2001, some 1 180 Hong Kong officers and ratings served on board 425 ocean- going ships flying flags of more than 12 different maritime administrations, and about 900 officers and ratings served on passenger vessels plying within the river trade area.

The department's Seafarers' Certification Section monitors training provided to seafarers and examines candidates for the issue of certificates of competency. The section works closely with various training institutions in the training of seafarers.

Participation in International Shipping Activities

International Maritime Organisation

As an Associate Member in the name of 'Hong Kong, China', the HKSAR participates in the activities of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The maritime industry in the HKSAR is consulted upon, and briefed by the Marine Department on all issues discussed at the IMO that are important to the Special Administrative Region. In 2001, the HKSAR attended one conference and nine IMO meetings in London, and contributed to IMO discussions on various matters. These matters included the standards of training and certification for seafarers, bulk carrier safety, radio communications, revision of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, safety of navigation, prevention of pollution, suppression of maritime piracy, and liability and compensation for bunker oil pollution damage.

Port State Control

The Marine Department continued to take an active role in the Asia-Pacific regional Memorandum of Understanding (Tokyo MOU) on Port State Control (PSC) activities during the year. Hong Kong now chairs the Port State Control Committee of the Tokyo MOU and leads the Working Group on the Amendments of the MOU and Manual, and the Advisory Group for Technical Co-operation Programmes.

Hong Kong participated in the PSC officers' seminar held in June in Pusan, Republic of Korea, which was attended by 42 PSC officers from 15 different authorities within the Asia-Pacific region. Seven papers were presented in the seminar, one of them by the representative of Hong Kong.

In 2001, 890 PSC inspections were carried out on ocean-going vessels visiting Hong Kong. About 77.9 per cent of these ships had deficiencies that were required to be remedied.

Maritime Search and Rescue

The search and rescue responsibility for maritime distress situations occurring within Hong Kong waters and the major part of the South China Sea covering a sea area of