ENG-2017 — Page 282

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Transport

the significant economic contributions of Hong Kong's port and maritime industries, and promote the city as a preferred base for operating maritime business. The 47 events drew an attendance of over 11,000 from the overseas and local maritime and port sector and the public.

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. This offers funding support to various scholarships, training and promotion initiatives to build up a diversified and competitive pool of professionals and technical personnel. In 2017, the fund's annual internship scheme provided about 490 maritime and aviation internship opportunities for young people. On the maritime front, the fund introduced three new initiatives in 2017, namely the University of Hong Kong- Shanghai Maritime University Academic Collaboration Scheme, the Maritime Law Scholarship Scheme and the Hong Kong Nautical and Maritime Scholarship Scheme, to nurture talent.

Hong Kong Shipping Register

The Hong Kong Shipping Register, administered by the Marine Department, ranked fourth in the world in 2017. As at end-December, the registered ships reached 113.8 million gross tonnage in total. To ensure the ships' compliance 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 is well below the world average, putting the Hong Kong flag among the top performance flags in the white list under the Tokyo MoU and Paris MoU of Port State Control. 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 accidents on board Hong Kong-registered ships and ships 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. In 2017, the branch investigated 18 serious accidents. To raise 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, the Director of Marine may order a Board of Investigation.

Seafarers

The Marine Department's Shipping Registry and Seafarers Branch supervises the registration, employment, competence, discipline, health, safety and welfare of Hong Kong seafarers and seafarers working on board Hong Kong-registered ships. During the year, 51,864 seafarers of different nationalities served on board Hong Kong-registered seagoing ships and 1,288 officers and ratings served on high-speed ferries plying the Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region.

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