ENG-2015 — Page 268

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Transport

Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council

The council, chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Housing and comprising industry leaders and senior government officials, advises the government on measures and initiatives to develop further Hong Kong's maritime industry. It also helps the government promote Hong Kong's maritime services and its status as an international maritime centre through different forums. Council members visited Germany, Qingdao, Shanghai and Ningbo in 2015.

Maritime and Aviation Training Fund

The maritime and aviation sectors receive government support in manpower development via a $100 million Maritime and Aviation Training Fund launched on 1 April 2014. The fund aims at building up a vibrant, diversified and competitive pool of professionals and technical personnel by supporting various scholarships, training and promotion initiatives. An internship network launched in 2014 was organised again in 2015, opening up some 315 maritime and aviation internship opportunities for young people. To provide students with overseas exposure and maritime knowledge, an overseas exchange sponsorship scheme was launched in 2015 in partnership with four local universities to support selected students to undertake maritime- related courses in overseas universities for one semester.

Hong Kong Shipping Register

In 2015, the total gross tonnage of ships registered on the Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR), administered by the Marine Department, rose to more than 102.29 million. In 2015, the HKSR ranked fourth in the world. To ensure ships on the register comply with international standards, the department conducts a Pre-registration Quality Control assessment on ships before they join the register and implements a Flag State Quality Control System. The Port State Control detention rate of Hong Kong-registered ships remained well below the world average, putting the Hong Kong flag among the top performance flags in the white list under the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Paris MoU of Port State Control. In addition, Hong Kong also holds the United States Coast Guard's 'Qualship 21' status.

Marine Accident Investigations

The Marine Department's Marine Accident Investigation and Shipping Security Policy Branch investigates all serious ship accidents in Hong Kong waters. The purpose of an investigation is to determine the circumstances and possible causes of an accident and to recommend preventive measures against recurrences. In 2015, the branch investigated 24 serious accidents. To enhance public awareness of maritime safety, investigation reports of all serious accidents are published on the department's website.

The Chief Executive may order a public inquiry by a Marine Court or a Commission of Inquiry into a serious accident. For accidents involving licensed pilots, a Board of Investigation may be ordered by the Director of Marine.

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 2015, 51,495 seafarers of different

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