Hong Kong Shipping Register
The Hong Kong Shipping Register (HKSR) is administered
by the Marine Department. The supporting legislation related to
the Register embodies international standards under the IMO, the
International Labour Organisation and other international conventions
applicable to Hong Kong.
Substantial growth in the HKSR continued in 2004.
By year-end, the Register had grown to 1 009 vessels with a total
of 25.6 million gross tonnage, representing a 24 per cent increase
in tonnage over 2003. The HKSR is now ranked fifth in the world.
The Register maintains an excellent reputation
for high quality and standards. To support this, the Marine Department
conducts a Pre-Registration Quality Control assessment for ships
with dubious quality intending to join the Register.
Statutory surveys of passenger ships are undertaken
by Marine Department surveyors, while statutory surveys of cargo
ships and verifications under the International and Safety Management
and International Ship and Port Facility Security Codes are fully
delegated to accredited classification societies and recognised
security organisations. The department closely monitors the performance
of Hong Kong-registered ships and their management companies as
well as of classification societies and recognised security organisations
by means of an innovative Flag State Quality Control (FSQC) System,
which ensures that ships comply fully with the applicable international
standards. Under the system, the performance of all ships and management
companies on the HKSR is carefully monitored in accordance with
established criteria. A computerised database is then used for selection
of ships and companies for FSQC inspections. During the year, 45
FSQC inspections of ships and 12 FSQC visits of companies were carried
out by the department's surveyors.
As a result of these quality control measures,
Port State Control detention rates for Hong Kong-registered ships
continue to remain well below the world average.
Marine Accident Investigations
To discharge its obligations as a responsible
maritime administration, the department's Marine Accident Investigation
Branch (MAIB) investigates all serious marine accidents involving
vessels in HKSAR waters. The department also investigates all serious
accidents outside the HKSAR if a Hong Kong-registered ship is involved.
Investigations are carried out to identify the
cause of accidents as well as the circumstances under which they
occurred to avoid similar accidents from happening again. Summaries
of the investigation reports are posted on the department's website
and copies of the reports are made available to the public upon
request to promote and enhance maritime safety.
Depending upon the seriousness of the accident
and the public interest involved, a public inquiry in the form of
a Marine Court may be ordered by the Chief Executive, or, in case
of an accident involving a licensed pilot, a Board of Investigation
by the Director of Marine. In 2004, the MAIB investigated 20 serious
accidents.
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 2004, some 17 000 seafarers of various nationalities
served on board ocean-going ships flying the Hong Kong flag. About
1 000 officers and ratings served on high-speed 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. Towards this end, the
section works closely with various training institutions in the
training of seafarers.
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