ENG-2020 — Page 265

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Transport

another HKSR Regional Desk was established in the government's Economic and Trade Office in Singapore in June.

Marine Accident Investigations

The department's Marine Accident Investigation 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 2020, the branch investigated 22 serious accidents. To raise awareness of maritime safety, the investigation reports of all serious accidents are published on the department's website.

Seafarers

The department's Seafarers and Examination 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, 52,372 seafarers of different nationalities served on board Hong Kong-registered seagoing ships and 653 officers and ratings served on high-speed ferries plying the Pearl River Delta region.

The Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme encourages youngsters to join the maritime profession in Hong Kong by providing financial incentives to take up seagoing cadetship training. In 2020, the scheme signed up 28 cadets, fewer than in previous years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participation in International Maritime Activities

International Maritime Organisation

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, under the name 'Hong Kong, China, is an associate member of the IMO and has a permanent representative in London. The Hong Kong maritime industry is consulted on, and informed of, all issues discussed at IMO meetings that may affect Hong Kong. These topics include maritime safety and security, marine pollution, maritime laws, seafarers' training and standards of certification. HKSAR Government officials attended 19 IMO meetings in 2020.

Port State Control

Hong Kong is a member of the MoU on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific. The Marine Department leads an Advisory Group for Technical Cooperation Programmes and is also a member of other working groups. In 2020, the department conducted 260 initial Port State Control inspections for about 5 per cent of all foreign ocean-going ships which visited Hong Kong, a smaller number than in previous years because of the social distancing measures necessitated by COVID-19. It detained 2.3 per cent of the ships inspected because of serious deficiencies that needed immediate attention.

Maritime Search and Rescue

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre acts on distress alerts and coordinates search and rescue operations within Hong Kong waters and for about 450,000 square nautical miles of international waters of the South China Sea.

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