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The HKSR is administered by the Marine Department. The supporting legislation
relating 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 2003.
By year-end, the Register had grown to 879 vessels with a total of 20.69
million gross tonnage, representing a 27.5 per cent increase in tonnage
over 2002. The HKSR is now ranked eighth in the world.
The Register has an excellent reputation for high
quality and standards. Port State Control detention rates for the Hong
Kong-registered ships continue to remain well below the world averages.
While statutory surveys of passenger ships are undertaken
by Marine Department surveyors, statutory surveys of cargo ships are fully
delegated to accredited classification societies. The department monitors
the performance of Hong Kong-registered ships and their management companies
as well as of classification societies by means of an innovative Flag
State Quality Control (FSQC) System, which ensures the ships comply fully
with the applicable international standards. Under the system, the performance
of all ships and management companies in 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, 39 FSQC inspections of ships and nine FSQC visits of companies
were carried out by the department's surveyors.
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 major or 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, in
order 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 so as 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 2003, the MAIB investigated 12 serious accidents.
The Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation
regulates 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 2003, some 14 300 seafarers of various nationalities
served on board 668 ocean-going ships flying the Hong Kong flag. About
1 000 officers and ratings served on 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. |
