ENG-2011 — Page 321

Transport 277

Seafarers

The Marine Department's Shipping Registry and Seafarers Branch supervises the registration, employment, competence, discipline, health, safety and welfare of Hong Kong seafarers, as well as seafarers working on board Hong Kong-registered ships. In 2011, some 29 740 seafarers of different nationalities served on board Hong Kong-registered ocean-going ships. About 1 307 officers and ratings served on high- speed ferries plying within the Pearl River Delta Region.

The Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme, launched in July 2004, is conducive in attracting local graduates to join the maritime profession to meet the manpower demand of the maritime industry in Hong Kong. The scheme provides financial incentives to attract local graduates to take up sea-going cadetship training. By end- 2011, 191 cadets had joined the scheme. The increase in the number of applicants. for the related programmes in training institutes and universities in the past two years reflects the interest of local youth in the maritime profession.

Participation in International Shipping Activities

International Maritime Organisation

The HKSAR Government, under the name 'Hong Kong, China',

is an associate member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and has a permanent representative in London. The Hong Kong maritime industry is consulted on, and closely informed about, all issues discussed at IMO meetings that may affect Hong Kong. In 2011, HKSAR Government officials attended a total of 22 IMO meetings. Topics discussed included enhancing maritime safety and security, measures to reduce marine pollution, matters related to maritime laws, seafarers' training and certification of standards, facilitation of international maritime traffic, and other maritime matters.

Port State Control

Hong Kong is a member of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (PSC) in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Marine Department participated in its various activities including leading the Technical Co-operation Advisory Group and as a member of three other working groups.

The department's PSC officers are well known for their professionalism and impartiality in conducting ship inspections. In 2011, the department continued to conduct daily PSC inspections, even at weekends whenever practicable. The officers conducted 746 inspections on ocean-going vessels, or 15 per cent of all ocean-going vessels that visited Hong Kong. About 3 per cent of ships inspected were detained. because of serious deficiencies that needed immediate attention.

Maritime Search and Rescue

The Marine Department's Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) is responsible for co-ordinating search and rescue operations carried out in response to serious incidents in Hong Kong waters and within a large part of the South China Sea, covering some 450 000 square nautical miles of sea.